Page 109 of Tainted Romance

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."

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