Chapter Forty-five

"Are you even listening to what I am saying?" My words were soft and inviting, hidden with a happy note, but I was playing this game like a professional.

Zane hadn't managed to take his eyes off me since I walked into the room. Literally, his eyes ran down my body twice as I had walked towards him. That would be down to what I was wearing.

"Um, yeah. Listening. All ears." He played with his pen and glanced at the blank piece of paper in front of him. "Just not big on notes that's all."

"Right," I dragged the word out. "Or I'm terrible at teaching."

"Nah, it's not you, sweetheart, it's all me."

Sweetheart. How could that one word be like a hot needle through my heart?

"Well, I think that's enough for our first session anyway. I don't know about you, but I'm over studying, and it's a Friday night. Sure you have a hot date lined up or a party or something." Words were just tumbling out my mouth, and they weren't stopping. It wasn't part of the plan for me to get tongue-tied.

"You mean more like you do." His eyebrows arched with curiosity.

"If a rerun episode of Mcleod's Daughters and popcorn counts as a hot date then, yep, I totally have one." I closed the textbooks.

The school library would be closing around now anyway.

"Well then, considering I've ruined most of your Friday night already, you wouldn't care if I made it up to you?"

"Oh, really and how will you make it up to me?"

"I've got the game at six but after that what do you say to a late-night tea if your mom doesn't mind of course."

I stared at him.

Blankly.

Zane Harris just asked me out on a date, I think. I had forgotten he played on the school football team. I had also forgotten that tonight was meant to be some sort of big game. I remembered walking past a few posters.

"Um, you won't have time after your big win."

"So, I have a supporter on my hands."

I smiled, and to my utter disgust, it was a real smile. "Maybe."

"Come on, come to the game?"

"I'm not really into football, anyways, you'll have cheerleaders there for you."

"Yeah, but they don't have your looks. Come on, I'm begging."

How could I let his smile still melt my layers of hate away?

"You'll be too busy with the game to notice who is in the stands so I could just say yes and not go, and you would never know."

He leaned in closer to me, "Trust me, I would notice."

I swallowed sharply. "I'll think about it."

His hand came down on mine, and my eyes ran up his perfectly tattooed arm, until I met his eyes.

"Game starts in an hour. Meet me at the side of the locker rooms at ten to. I've got something for you."

I arched my eyebrows. "Now you're just trying to get me there with the lure of presents."

"Never." He winked, standing up and grabbing his books. "I'll meet you at the game."

"Don't be too sure on that," I said over my shoulder as he walked away.

So, going to the game wasn't part of the plan, and neither was smiling at him or enjoying hearing I had his attention. I sunk back in the chair. I hated myself for admitting it, but I really wanted to know what he had for me.

But I had never attended a football game, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to start now.

 

***

I was stupid for being here.

It was hot, stinking hot, and, to top that off, I had no plan. Yep. That's right! I came here on his terms, and I didn't even have a plan.

I took a deep breath in and glanced at my clock. Five minutes to. I rounded the corner half expecting him to not be there but, once again, I was surprised.

Zane was leaning against the brick wall, staring across at the stands, looking more distant then I had ever felt.

His head snapped in my direction as I took a step around the corner.

"You came." His voice was coated with shock.

"Sorry I'm late."

A grin spread across his lips. "It doesn't matter. You're here now."

"Yeah, and you have to be on the field in like five minutes. Wouldn't your coach want you right now?"

"Doesn't matter. Um, here." He handed me a shirt, and I unfolded it.

It was the football team’s jersey.

"It's got my number on the back," he added.

My eyes bounced from the jersey back to him.

He scratched the back of his neck. "You don't have to wear it if you don't want to."

Then a plan clicked into action - on the spot.

"No, I was just thinking it's too hot to be wearing two tops. Here, hold this." I handed the top back to him and reached for the hem of my tank top, pulling it off and over my head. "Jersey please." I put my hand out.

His eyes were wide with need and painted with desire.

"Um, Zane, jersey, before someone else walks around that corner."

"Um, right." He handed it back to me, and I slipped it on. I had to admit it was cool on my skin.

"Thanks." I grinned at him and took in more satisfaction at his shocked and utterly stunned face.

He opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Taylor and a few of the players on the team came out of the changing room door.

"There you fucking are. You had Coach all up in knots thinking you had taken off." Taylor swung an arm around Zane's shoulder, completely missing the fact I was here. "Come on, the captain has to lead us on the field."

Zane disappeared into a crowd of players, and I took a few steps back to get out of their way.

Well, I had shocked him by stripping, but still I counted that as a win. The old Allie wouldn't have done that, then again, the new Allie wouldn't have either so maybe I was becoming an entirely different Allie altogether.

I frowned staring down at my feet.

Was that a good thing?

Then I felt something soft, warm and completely unexpected. My head whipped up, meeting Zane's eyes. My heart was pumping outside my chest. He had just kissed me on the cheek. Zane Harris had just kissed me.

"Stay for the game. I'll know if you leave." He gave me a foolish grin followed by a wink before jogging off, leaving me standing here like a star-struck virgin.

Zane Harris just kissed me.

And just like that, the little fucker had turned the tables on me because he had fired something back up inside me I couldn't turn off.

 

***

The sun had set hours ago, and only the lights surrounding the oval kept the parking lot alight. The game was over, and they had won. No surprise Zane kicked the winning goal. He performed like a star.

Even I had to admit it.

It was after nine, and I had stood in the stand for a while until people started leaving, and then I couldn't put it off any longer.

I was going to let Zane off his promise for a late tea. The guy had played a full game, and if I were him, I would want a warm shower and bed, not taking out a girl he didn't really have feelings for anymore.

 

***

ZANE

"Come on, just a couple of beers to celebrate." Taylor peeled off his top. "Come on, buddy, you won us the game. For God sake, come have a drink."

"Nah, got a plan. I'll see ya when I see ya." I had my bag packed and was already leaving. I still had a chance of catching Allie before she took off.

When I walked out of the changing rooms and she wasn't there, I knew she wasn't taking me up on my offer for tea. I broke out in a jog and scanned the parking lot.

Perfect.

Looks like she hadn't left yet.

"Hey, Winters!" I yelled and ran towards her retreating back.

She spun around, and those beautiful soul-sucking eyes were on me. "I thought you would be celebrating with your teammates."

I slowed down. "I would, but I kind of had plans with this girl. You might know her. She is kind of shy, has killer curves, and likes to strip in front of guys before a game to give him a heart attack."

Her lips cracked into a smile, and I never thought I would see her smiling at me again like that - ever.

"Well, hopefully she only strips in front of one guy," I added, pulling on her jersey, bringing her closer to me. "Cause I wouldn't mind a heart attack like that again."

Her cheeks slightly turned a shade of red. "I wouldn't call it heart attack worthy."

"Trust me." My eyes locked with hers. "It is."

"Hope I didn't ruin your game."

"Just drove me to want to impress you more, babe, which I must have because you stayed for the whole game."

She scoffed, "Come off it, Zane, I bet you don't even know where I was."

"Second stand, third row, six deep."

Her eyes widened. "You really did find me in the crowd."

"Told you I would." I leaned in closer, dipping my mouth to her ear. "It was hard to keep my eyes off you."

It was the fucking truth. Knowing she was up there standing, wearing my number. Had to make her proud of wearing it.

Her hand landed on my chest, slowly running up it until she reached my shoulder. "You still hungry?"

"You have no idea." And I wasn't starving for food. No, for her. I was hungry for my mate.

"Then let's go." She stepped back. "Before all the good places shut down for the night. Oh, and I'm driving."

"Why are you driving?"

"Because I'm not leaving my baby out here and you didn't even bring a car."

"How the hell did you know that?"

A grin spread across her lips. "You aren't the only one that can take note of something, Zane. Come on before I change my mind."

"Like that is going to happen."

She shrugged her shoulders. "It could."

"Couldn't."

She pushed my shoulder lightly and spun on her heel. "Just get in the car, Harris."