Page 54 of King of Hearts
“Okay, I don’t understand any of the rules so tell me when to cheer.” I sat back, basking in the warm afternoon sun. It wasn’t a bad way to spend a Sunday especially as it meant time with my best girl, and it wasn’t long before I was up hollering with her and the crowd.
When the final siren sounded and the crowd shot to their feet to celebrate the Hearts’ decisive victory, I copied. Marlee was cheering so loud, her voice long ago broken from screaming so much and mine was also a little raspy. Andy kicked three goals and on his final one, he ran past where we sat and pointed at me before jumping on Jay as they celebrated. It was an amazing thing to watch and while I could already sense the respect his team had for him, today cemented that even further. They unknowingly followed his lead throughout the match. If he fell back, so did they. When he rushed in to gain control of the ball, they all emulated. His team depended on him and that was a huge turn on. The dominance and authority in his leadership proved to be a beckoning to awakening a desire buried deep within. Although, sadly, with the amount of energy he had to have exerted, there was little chance he would be able to do anything else physical. Although, I wouldn’t mind getting down and dirty anyway andmaybetaking a little control myself.
“Marls, that was incredible. Thank you so much.” I said, shocked by how much I enjoyed the game.
“Oh, my goodness. Thank YOU for getting us these incredible seats. Dad will be so jealous when I tell him.” I grabbed my purse ready to leave. When we got to the end of the row a woman decked head to toe in Hearts memorabilia stepped in front of us.
“Excuse me, ladies - you’re Arnabelle Frost, yes?” Holding a clipboard, she looked vaguely familiar as I tried to determine how I knew her.
“That’s me.” I said a little confused as I glanced at Marlee who looked equally dumbfounded.
“Oh, thank goodness. I’m Cheryl, I met you earlier this year when you came for an interview. Andrew would like you both to join him in the rooms with the team.”
Marlee gasped behind me and when I turned, she was nodding vigorously not allowing me to have any other response.
“Ahh, sure. Lead the way.” I said, reaching my hand behind where I felt Marlee put her palm in mine and squeeze, her unspoken excitement apparent. Her words followed quickly in my ear and I giggled softly at the profanity intermixed with elation.
When Cheryl opened the door to the locker rooms, a feeling of deja vu fluttered through me. Only a few months ago I was standing in this exact same place waiting for an interview with the captain of the Hearts, who at that point I didn’t know. Now, I stood waiting for the same man but with a much more intimate knowledge of him – both physically and as a person. The thought was discombobulating given we shared a bed only last night.
Marlee elbowing me in the ribs brought me back into the room as Jack walked towards us, a huge smile on his face.
“Arna, how are you?” He asked in greeting.
“Holy shit.” Marlee puffed quietly, the awe at being in the team’s presence after a match overwhelming after sitting on the sidelines for so long.
“Jack, hi. Congratulations, it was an amazing win today.”
“It was a sweet one, hey. Did you see Andy’s goals? He played hard today.” He ran his hand through his messy dark hair before he quickly looked at Marlee.
“I did. Do you remember my friend Marlee?” I pulled her forward a little as Jack reached for her hand.
“Vaguely, but I don’t think we’ve officially met. I’m Jack.”
Marlee smiled but I could see her eyes were about to bug out of her head before she regrouped.
“Jack, hi. You were amazing off the defensive line today, Sentinels forwards didn’t stand a chance against your speed when you were clearing the ball.” I turned to her, doing my best not to laugh at both her knowledge and the subsequent look of horror on her face. Pulling her against me for a side hug I turned towards Jack.
“Marlee is a diehard fan,” I explained. “It’s tragically impressive. Being in here is making her want to pee her pants.” Jack laughed as Marlee pressed her hip into mine in an attempt to shut me up.
“Really? That’s cool. Andy won’t be long, but did you want to come with me? I’ll introduce you to some of the players.” His words were for Marlee only and I felt giddy on her behalf. Seeing as she was stunned into silence, I jumped in, answering for her.
“She would love that, Jack. Thank you so much.” I pushed her forward encouragingly as she turned back to me, mouthing -holy shit.
The noise around me picked up a little as someone called out, “Great game, Gloss.” I turned towards the voice, spotting Andy, still wearing his playing shorts but stripped of his jersey, his drool worthy chest on full display as he headed for where I stood.
He stopped in front of me, where I was leaning in a narrow alcove to stay out of the way. The room was chaotic with the hyped-up players and their families, partners and friends in addition to a heap of coaching and support staff. There were a few media representatives, however, thankfully no cameras. But in this little nook we were almost alone.
“Congratulations, Captain.” I said, my mouth twitching into a smile. I wanted to lean in and kiss him, engulf myself in the assault of his deliciously masculine smell which I knew would be so much more potent after the game he just played. But the awkwardness of our setting stopped me from doing anything other than a shy smile.
What if we were only a thing when we were alone?
He was an incredibly private person and despite there being no chance of anything in here being leaked, I needed to respect that this was his space.
He stepped forward closing the gap between us and I sucked in a breath as he crowded me.
“Mmmm, I really like when you call me that.” His eyes were hooded, and I closed my own briefly as I basked in the woodsy smell surrounding me.
“I’m going to kiss you.” His words were both a statement and a question, and I opened my eyes, tilting my face up as he touched his lips to mine, pressing me into the wall with his stature. My hands rested on his chest as the familiar heat spread through my body, the same way it did every other time he was near.
