Page 64 of Scoring the Player
I blow out a breath. “The full experience, huh?”
She nods excitedly.
I am definitely in trouble.
23
DAHLIA
Felixand I jump around the party. Everyone wants to talk to him and congratulate him on the game. And I’m happy to stand at his side and watch him take it in. In all honesty, he’s far more humble than I expected him to be. He takes their kind words and changes the subject, asking about them, if they’re someone he knows or, if not, he defers to one of his teammate’s performances. I’ve heard how Teddy ran in a thirty-two-yard touchdown with three guys sprinting after him no less than five times.
Tonight, Felix’s dark hair is covered by a black hat, turned backward, and he’s wearing another plain T-shirt—also black. His wardrobe isn’t very creative. It’s all plain, one-colored tees and jeans. And yet, I wouldn’t change a thing. His clothing highlights just how handsome he is by not pulling your attention away.
When I asked for the full Felix Walters experience, I’m not sure I knew what I was getting myself into. He’s barely touched me any differently than the other nights we’ve hung out, but something has shifted between us. His words are freer, so are the scorching glances he sends my way in three, two, one…
My stomach flips when our eyes meet. Every few seconds he turns his attention back to me. He looks at me like he’s ecstatic that I’m here. I wonder if that’s how he makes everyone feel. Maybe this is just part of the experience. It wouldn’t surprise me. He has charm for days and that smile…damn that smile makes me forget my own name.
His hand slides around my waist and he hooks his thumb through a loop on my denim shorts.
“It was good to see you, man,” he says to the guy in front of him. “We’re gonna head in. My girl needs a fresh drink.”
“Lucky guess or using me as an excuse to get away?” I ask as he pulls me toward the house.
“I didn’t like the way he was looking at you.”
“He wasn’t looking at me at all.”
“Oh, he definitely was. You were just too busy staring at me to notice.”
My cheeks heat. He stops, thumb still attached to my shorts, and tugs me closer.
“Don’t be embarrassed. I pulled you away so I could stare back at you.” His gaze locks on my lips and holds. “I’ve never been so annoyed that people want to talk to me.”
“Woe is you.” I laugh and rest my arms on his shoulders.
He turns his head and playfully bites my bicep, then kisses it. “Do you want another seltzer? I put an extra case in my room for you.”
Goosebumps run down my spine from his lips on my skin and the thoughtfulness of his action.
“Yeah.” My voice is quiet and breathy.
His stare locks onto my lips again, but then he steps away. “Come on, hot stuff.”
In his room, Felix shuts the door and then goes over to a mini fridge next to his desk and pulls out a beer for him and a seltzer for me.
“Thanks.” I take the cold can and hold it in both hands. The air conditioning is blasting and I shiver, goosebumps dotting my arms.
“Cold?” He sets his beer on the desk and then rubs both of his hands down my arms.
“A little.”
Moving a step closer, he continues to warm my cool skin by running his palms up and down from shoulder to forearm. The music and noise from the party drift faintly in, but it’s just the two of us all alone, and he’s looking at me like he can’t decide if he’s going to let himself kiss me.
I will not beg, even though I really, really want nothing more than to feel his lips on mine again.
“Stop looking at me like that, hot stuff,” he warns in a low voice that sends another round of goosebumps popping up along my bare skin.
“Like what?” I can’t drag my stare away from his mouth.
