Page 56 of King of Hearts

Babe?

Interesting, and reassuring, given the internal dilemma I had last night. After much contemplation, today I was going to be asking him what was going on between us because the lack of an actual label was stressing me out. I wasn’t going to push for anything he wasn’t comfortable with, but I needed to know his stance. Although, if he gave me something noncommittal like hewasn’t sureorwas reluctant to label thingsI might lose my mind.

I couldn’t remember the last time we went a day without some form of communication and I thought about him constantly. When we were together, we spent most of our time holed up in his apartment but I didn’t mind because it meant it was always just the two of us. No need for pretences or fear of someone overstepping or invading – he was him in his purest form and that was my favourite. But I needed to know what the hell this actually was because I could already feel myself getting attached and if things ended, I was beyond escaping unscathed. I’d be lying if a small part of me wasn’t nervous that once the article was released, we wouldn’t see each other; despite it being some time since that was the reason for our rendezvous’.

The feature was finished and Darren emailed yesterday to say he was “pleased” with my work. The man was so complimentary – not. He was all over me until he received the final draft at which point it was crickets –dickhead.

Arna:See you soon x

When Marlee spontaneously asked Andy if some of the team would attend her work fundraiser, never in my wildest dreams did I think he would volunteer himself. Add to that he also roped Jack, Jay and a couple of the other players to come along too. I was always planning on attending to give Marls my support, but Darren told me to take it as an opportunity for another story for Pulse – which also took advantage of the clickbait of Andy – while simultaneously promoting a good cause. Which made today even more of a great day.

While it was another week where I could barely get her on the phone, Marlee did call late yesterday to run through her never-ending to-do-list for the event. She also mentioned Lucas would be there, which I was most thankful for because I seemed to be the only one that thought it was strange that she had been with him for almost two months and her best friend hadn’t so much as seen a photo of the guy.

I was desperate to see what he looked like, how he was with her and most importantly, how she was with him. There was seriously something off with her lately and I felt slightly nauseous about it all, hoping it was not related to her new beau. Given the fact I’d been stuck in a whirlwind with work, Andy and this feature article, I’d downplayed how she was acting but I was hoping that seeing them together today would finally put me at ease.

I waved to Serg who was waiting with my door open and hopped into the car to a smiling Andy.

“You look hot.” I said immediately. Unable to control myself when his woodsy scent pervaded the air of the car, I leant in and kissed him on the mouth. I felt his happiness against my lips before he pulled back a little, his gaze sweeping down my body.

“So do you. I love this on you.” I’d chosen a tight grey cotton dress and paired with my white Converse shoes, I was comfortable and felt good. “Your tits look incredible.” His kisses moved down my neck, his hand gently squeezing my chest.

Laughing, I grabbed hold of his chin and lifted his face until he was looking up at me with the most gorgeous, mischievous grin.

“I can’t arrive hot and horny, so you need to stop.” I said softly, not wanting to give Serg a show. He huffed exaggeratedly before pulling himself back up and planting another kiss on my cheek.

“But I like it when you are hot and horny.” He sulked, pouting his lower lip, making me laugh again and I patted his thigh. He was wearing a pair of light denim shorts today and his tanned legs looked fiiiiiiiinnnnne. The Hearts polo shirt he wore was also somehow sexy as fuck and I reached over and tugged the collar gently. Maybe I was too hasty in shutting him down.

“This looks good on you. Very professional.” I raised my brow at him suggestively.

“We’re required to wear team clothing when representing the Club, but I can wear it other times if you like it that much?” He replied, smirking.

I loved carefree Andy. He was cheeky, light and playful and in those moments, he wasn’t the captain of an elite football team. He was Andrew Gloss – no glitz or glam – just a man who could be whoever he wanted to be without fear of people judging his every move.

“I think I would most definitely like that. But also, can I pivot for a second and ask you something serious? I realise my timing is less than ideal and we are like ten minutes from the park, but I’ve been wondering about something and if I don’t ask now, I won’t and then I’ll overthink it –”

“Arns, take five, you’re babbling.” He reached for my hand, holding it in his own. I stared at our interlocked fingers, taking a deep calming breath before looking up at him.

“What is this?” I asked, gesturing between us with my free hand. “Is this nothing? Is it something? Are we exclusive?” I stopped my questioning, waiting as his devastatingly handsome face remained impassive. Shit. Did I freak him out?

Before I could pull away, he brought our hands up to his mouth, placing a contemplative kiss on the back of mine.

“I wasn’t expecting that.” He admitted, sitting back in his seat and running a hand through his hair. “I don’t date, right? I never really have, and I never thought about it, because with work it feels as though people think they are entitled to my life story and I never wanted to subject someone else to that.”

“I understand you’re scared of getting hurt, but I think what we have is worth exploring, even if it feels like we’re from totally different worlds.” I said quickly, worried my question had put a spanner in the works.

“What I mean to say is, I’ve never found anyone I wanted to take that risk with. Until I met you.” I felt my cheeks warm at his words and I bit my lower lip to stop the giddy smile which was threatening to break across my face. “And you’re right. Socially we are worlds apart, but that is also what I love the most. It’s so refreshing that you aren’t interested in me for my role on the team or everything that comes with it. So, I don’t know exactly what this is, Arns, but to me it is something and yes, we are obviously fucking exclusive.” He pulled me into him and raised my chin, his gaze serious. “Because if you let another man touch you, I will have to kill him.” I felt my heartbeat increase at the intensity of both his words and the way he was looking at me – turning me the hell on.

Before I could respond, the car came to a stop.

“If we weren’t already here, I would be bending you over for even asking.” His words were gruff, and I felt my body tingle at the implication. He smiled knowingly, placing a firm kiss on my lips before releasing me and opening the door to step out. Leaning inside with an expectant look on his face, he smirked when he saw I was stuck in my seat, dumbfounded at his show of virility. Reaching in, he took my hand and pulled me out of the car as I groaned.

Chuckling he gave me a quick hug. “You’re staying at my house tonight, yes?”

“I definitely am now. I don’t think my vibrator is going to cut it after that little display.” He shook his head as I heard Marlee call my name and turned to see her and someone else walking towards us.

Taking my sunglasses from my purse I put them on, the glare particularly bright today as Marlee came bounding over, her gorgeous legs on display in a pair of white denim shorts.

“Shit, all that running is doing you good, girl, you look hot.” We hugged hello, her usual coconut scent enveloping my senses.

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