CHAPTER 8
True to his word, Angel didn't keep their relationship a secret. As soon as he saw her on Monday morning at her locker, he was on her. He slipped up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her neck.
The rest of the day was pretty much the same. Anytime she was near, he was wrapped around her, unable to keep limb or lips off of her.
She’d introduced him to a few of her girlfriends and he’d also met one of her guy friends, Freddie, the guy that had his locker right below hers. But walking up while she’d been laughing with Freddie had Angel seeing red. He mentioned how his own locker was closer to her homeroom, but she didn't bite.
They were undeniably a couple. There were quite a few sneers, and barefaced gawking from some of the girls Angel knew, but if Sarah had noticed, she hadn’t said a word. He half expected her to be tense or apprehensive; given what she’d said to him at the beach about being afraid of getting hurt. But her brazen resolve throughout the day had surprised and impressed him, making him even more fascinated with her.
Although Angel’s friends seemed surprised, they hadn’t said much. Eric had just smiled knowingly, but hadn’t said a word, he knew better. Romero didn’t remember much about Friday’s party, so, he was at a total loss. After seeing Angel all over Sarah a few times though, he finally spoke up.
“Damn, that good uh?” he’d said. “Let me know when you’re done, so I can get me some.”
Eric had choked back a laugh, and waited for the fireworks. But Angel knew his friend could have no idea. So, he let him off with a stern warning.
“It’s not like that dude. So, don’t even think about it.” And that was that.
By the end of the day, it was out there for everyone to see. And Angel was quite pleased.
*****
Sarah took Sofia up on her offer to come out and run with the track team that week. Instead of running by herself after school that Wednesday she met Sofia in the locker room and walked out with her to where the team was practicing.
Angel gave her the same warning he’d given Sofia about the coach. “Do not get caught alone with the pervert.”
Sarah was surprised at how young the coach really was. If he hadn’t been wearing the shirt that said coach she would’ve easily mistaken him for one of the bigger guys in school.
He had a baby face, and while she didn’t agree with Sofia about him being fine, she could understand why the girls would be attracted to him. He did have that muscular body you’d expect on a young coach. Sarah didn’t notice anything perverted about him, only that his wit was appealing and the girls did a lot of giggling around him. Something he seemed to take pleasure in.
Given how protective Angel was about his sister. It didn’t surprise her that he’d be so apprehensive about the coach.
Practice went well. The team seemed impressed and Sarah felt good about the workout. She and Sofia were on their way back to the locker room when the coach caught up to her.
“So, was the team good enough for you?” He teased.
Sarah felt flattered. She was still winded from her last run and took a moment to catch her breath.
“Say yes, say yes.” Sofia held her hands to her mouth as if she were praying.
“I can’t.”
She saw the disappointment in the coach’s face. “Why?”
“I won’t be here next semester. I’m going back to Arizona.”
The coach scratched his eyebrow and made a face. “Damn that’s too bad. We could really use you in the relay. You’re here all this semester though right?”
Sarah nodded and was startled when she felt strong arms around her waist. Angel kissed her temple and held her against him. “What’s going on?”
Eric and Romero were on either side of Sofia staring at the coach. The coach smiled at Angel. “I thought we’d found our fourth place runner for the relay.” He brought his attention back to Sarah who could almost feel all three guys scrutinizing his every word. “But we will be having some friendly meets this semester for practice. If you keep practicing with us, I’d love to have you join us in those.”
Sarah nodded and felt Angel’s hold tighten. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“Great.” The coach smiled big then, “We’ll see you here after school every day.” He reached his hand out. “Welcome to the team.”
Sarah reached out and shook his hand. He excused himself and walked away. Angel whispered in her ear. “He just had to touch you.”
Sarah laughed. “You’re so silly.”
She turned around but he kept his arms around her. The expression on Angel’s face was stern. “You’re not serious are you?”
“I told you I don’t trust the guy. You shouldn’t either.”
Sarah couldn’t help smiling. She’d never met someone so vehement. But his expression softened quickly. He kissed her and they turned and followed Sofia and the guys who were already headed to the locker room.
“He seems nice enough.” Sarah said
Angel squeezed her hand and groaned. “Can you trust me on this? I’ve heard too many stories.”
“Okay, okay.” Sarah leaned into him.
Sarah was beginning to understand what Valerie meant about Angel and his brothers being so intense. But she liked it. Her whole life it had been just her and her mother. There had been too many times when having a man there to protect them would’ve come in handy. So having Angel fret over her safety didn’t bother her. On the contrary, she embraced it.
*
After a few weeks, they’d pretty much slipped into a comfortable routine. Sarah would practice with the team after school while Angel was at football practice. They’d meet afterwards, and go grab something to eat, then park at what had become their spot, over the cliff’s where’d he’d taken her on their first night together. They’d spend about an hour there and then go home.
Everything was going well except for a couple of incidents with Dana. She’d made it a point to pull Angel aside as often as she got the chance. Sarah had seen some of it and though she hadn’t said anything yet, Angel worried it might become a problem.
Friday’s were different. It was game day. Instead of meeting up after practice, Sarah would go straight home with Valerie and got ready for the game.
This week was an away game, so the stands would be less crowded, and Angel would have a perfect view of Sarah.
He was having a good game, they were up by fourteen at the half, but when they came back out after halftime, the cheerleaders had changed their tops into jerseys. Real jerseys from the players on the team. They tied them in a knot in the front just under their chest to make them fit snugger. To Angel’s dismay, Dana wore his. He’d forgotten about the jersey she borrowed last year. He glanced up at the stands and saw Sarah sitting with Valerie and a few other girls. If Sarah got upset about this, he was going be so pissed at Dana.
They’d agreed to meet at the after party back by their school. Sarah left the game with Valerie and had arrived there before him, so when he got there he wasn’t sure what to expect. He walked into the party with Romero and Eric looking around for her. He spotted Valerie first, and then he saw Sarah. There were a few guys talking to them, and he tensed up. He walked straight to her, and took her hand immediately. Pulling her back away from everyone, he kissed her. To his delight, she wasn’t mad. She kissed him readily.
“You had a great game.” she smiled.
He stared at her, holding her tighter. “You’re beautiful, Sarah.”
“Thank you.” She tilted her head sideways. “You really want to be here?”
Was she real? He could almost feel the hair on the back of his head stand up as he looked around and found Eric. He walked over and tugged Eric’s shirt.
“I’m outta here.”
Eric smirked. “Already?”
“Bye.” Angel grinned.
They’d barely made it to Angel’s car and he was already kissing her neck. Every time they'd made out, things got heavier and heavier. The last time they made out she’d let him under her bra. He made the most of it, leaving quite a few red spots all over her breasts, confident no one would see them and she wouldn’t get in trouble. He was dying to know how far she’d let him go tonight. He could hardly contain himself running his hands up and down her back.
When they got to their special place, they pushed their seats back all the way, and his lips were immediately on hers. His hands explored every inch of her. But anything below the waist he touched only over her clothes and even that nearly pushed him over the edge. He kissed her hard, suckling her tongue and lips. She moaned softly, making him even more insane. Unbuttoning her blouse, he took her breast in his mouth.
His hand made its way slowly down her body, caressing her stomach, then down between her legs.
Angel’s heart hammered away wildly as he passionately kissed her and brought his hand up slowly, just above her waist and in her pants. When he felt her hot flesh against his hand he almost lost it. He pulled his mouth away from hers to catch his breath, burying his face in her neck.
“You’re driving me crazy.” He groaned as he inhaled her rousing scent.
Slowly he slid his hand further down in her pants. She spread her legs making him stop cold. “Oh, babe,” he gasped, as he began moving his hand again even further.
His fingers caressed her for a few seconds, but not being able to stand it he moved his hand even lower. She arched her back and he had to stop.
He pulled himself off her just a few inches, knowing that if he kept going he’d be done. “God, I want you so much Sarah.” He could barely catch his breathe.
“I want you, too, Angel, but I’m just not ready for that yet.”
“I know.” He struggled to sound calm. “We won’t go there, I promise.”
Gently, he let his fingers work their magic until he could feel her trembling and heard her moan. He kissed her, sinking his tongue deep in her mouth. Her squirming and soft pants were almost more than he could take. He kept on until she was trembling all over, until she could take no more, until… it happened.
She moaned louder pushing his hand away. He felt her heart pounding and he kissed her just off the side of her mouth, allowing her to catch her breath. His own heart threatened to pound right through his chest.
“Oh, Angel.”
His name had never sounded so good to him. Kissing her one last time, he laid back in his seat. He was so close to exploding himself that he knew if he kept touching her he would. He put his hand over his chest and took a deep breath.
“Man,” he said, breathlessly. “Now I know why so many old geezers have heart attacks during sex. My heart’s going crazy and I didn’t even finish.”
Sarah turned on her side to face him. “I wanna return the favor – "
“Sarah, don’t,” he said quickly. “That’s not why I said it. I was just tripping out on my heartbeat. I know you’re not ready, and I respect that. But if we talk about what might happen someday, I’m gonna mess my pants. I’m serious.”
She smiled at him playfully. “Well, we wouldn’t want that.” She put her hand over the hard bulge in his pants. I may not be ready for some things, but there are ways I can return the favor without going there, and… I want to.”
His eyes grew wide, and his entire body stiffened, as she reached for the top button on his jeans. He let his head fall back and closed his eyes, feeling her pull his zipper down. Control yourself. He’d been handed this favor before, and had always managed to hang in there for a while. But this was totally different, this was Sarah. He was afraid he’d be a goner as soon as he felt her hand on it.
“Sarah,” he whispered, hoarsely.
“Hmm?”
He felt her hand slide in his underwear and nearly lost it right there. “I’m not gonna last long, babe.” He was almost in a panic. “The tissue is in the glove compartment.”
She reached for the tissue with her free hand while she worked him with the other. In the next second, he was done. He squeezed his eyes, the intensity was more than he’d ever felt. It seemed to go on forever; all the while her soft hand still caressed him. He pleaded with her to stop, he couldn’t take anymore.
When he finally opened his eyes he saw her sit up and smile at him. She was beautiful, her dark hair was tousled, and her green eyes glimmered. God have mercy. He’d died and gone to heaven.