Scarlett and I walk side by side to the venue where the grand final of the National University Math Contest will take place. I have my arm around her shoulders, making sure her body is close to mine. And that must surely bring warmth to her face because there's a blush on her cheeks.It makes me strangely content.When we got there an hour earlier, we quickly spot Kevin. He notices us immediately and walks towards us with his hands in his pockets and a friendly expression. I hold her a little tighter, pulling her body against mine. I notice at a glance that she suppresses a smile at my overprotective and - okay, I admit it - jealous gesture too."Hey..." He stops in front of us as he approaches, looking at Scarlett for a moment and then at me. We're about the same height, so he doesn't have to lower his gaze like he does with her.I slide my hand down to her waist."I'm sorry I didn't win." Scarlett says witheringly but struggles to put a smile on her lips when she adds, "Although I w
I breathe deeply, once again in that auditorium. There are many other people watching me this time, and unconsciously my eyes are drawn to Jasper, who is in the front row. Now I understand how he is simply able to find me in the crowd, since I can also find him. But this is no time to digress - there is a competition I need to win.I approach my opponent. His expression is serene, but his eyes are steely. I feel slightly intimidated by his presence and the way he looks at me... like he can read me, unravel my thoughts. And when he stretches out his hand, I immediately stretch out mine to shake it."May the best man win." He says, then gives a smile that makes me feel out of place."Yes... may the best man win." I make an effort to return the smile, and then we are released to sit at tables separated by partitions.The last round will take place in the exact same way, yet it has been explained how it will happen. I pay no attention to the voice of the gray-haired man who has already be
The sudden realization that things might not be the same when we return home brings a bitter taste to my mouth. I try to disguise it during the ceremony and force a smile when I receive the first-place medal, but I can't shake this fear, this dread and worry that seems to tear at my chest from the inside out.As I step down from the platform, Jasper comes quickly to meet me. He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close to him, giving my arms a quick kiss that quickly softens my frown."What are you thinking so hard?" He asks me, with the tips of our noses still touching."I didn't know you knew me so well," I mumble with a playful tone that makes him smile."I really do. But this time, Reddy, it's all over your face." Then, suddenly, he places another kiss on my lips and runs his hand up to the medal hanging around my neck, "Champion, huh... It's so sexy to have a smart girlfriend."I slap him lightly on the chest, with laughter on my lips, when I suddenly feel a chill. I move
Jasper quickly opens the hotel room door while kissing me. Fortunately, there was no one in the corridors because our lips didn't part for an instant. We hurry to the bed and, with my nimble fingers, I reach for the buttons of his shirt to unbutton it, revealing his abs that always take my breath away. I part our lips, searching for air, and fall onto the bed.He takes a firm hold of my red hair, making me raise my eyes to meet his lustful expression... And the husky voice he says next sends delicious shivers down my spine: "Reddy, you shouldn't say such things to me... I'm pure instinct when it comes to you."I open my lips to answer him, but he's already leaning over me, laying me on the bed, sealing our lips while his big hands run down my legs. His palm explores my body over the top of my pants, the rough fabric preventing me from feeling his warmth, moving up to the waistband. When he pulls down my pants, a surprised grunt escapes from the back of my throat and reverberates throu
Honestly, I don't know how things got to this point.When the referee blew the whistle at the end of the third quarter, my heart was already in my throat.Somehow, our college is losing.But unlike the first time, a defeat caused by silly mistakes, there isn't exactly one person to blame. Bryan, Jasper and the whole team are really pushing themselves on the court, running so fast that I feel breathless just watching. The game is tight, and that proves that the opposing team is really good, a real obstacle.Now, they're on a short break. In a few minutes, the last quarter will begin - the most decisive one. The difference on the scoreboard is small, six points. It may seem simple and even easy to win. Three or four more baskets and we can turn the game around. But it's definitely not like that because every time our team gets the ball and makes a basket, they counter-attack, causing us to completely lose the momentum.I feel anxious, nervous for them.I dry my hands on the sides of my
Dedicating it to me?Bryan's words take me by surprise. But there's no time to react because soon we're in the middle of the people on the court, jumping, the frenetic rhythm of the cheerleaders' celebration. My eyes meet Jasper's, and I can see his closed expression.I tap Bryan on the shoulder, "Put me down!"He sets me down, but wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to him. This overly intimate contact makes me uncomfortable, so I gently pull away from his touch, catching his confused eyes. Then he looks past my shoulders, behind me and, like realization had fallen over him, his smile wilts.I feel a hand on my waist from behind. A warm, possessive touch that sends a shiver down my spine. My chest is filled with a delicious warmth from feeling him so close, his abdomen touching my back. Jasper's scent, mixed with his sweat, gives me another shiver.Jasper and Bryan are staring at each other intensely, and this eye contact lasts a few long seconds, only to be broken by
I considered denying Bryan's request, after all, there's not much to talk about between us, but the desperate tone in his voice brought a certain agony to my chest. I even looked back in the room, looking for Jasper's approval or some sign that I shouldn't do this, but he had already returned to the bathroom and left us alone. In the end, I agreed... but only to talk outside, in the corridor.Leaning against the wall outside, arms crossed, I watch as Bryan seems to choose his words carefully in a long minute of silence. Then his voice echoes low and calm, "So you're going out with him now?""Yes, I've agreed to be Jasper's girlfriend," I say serenely, noticing that my answer makes him impatient."Of course, I should know," Bryan says sarcastically and turns his back on me, running his hand down his face.Honestly, I don't like his tone, it tugs at something inside me and makes me add, "Not that my personal life is your concern anymore."Bryan turns to me again, scratching his beard, w
Jasper is looking at me intensely. His eyes are firm, but they permit me to ask everything I'd like to know. But do I really want to know? I feel like we're standing in front of a line that there will be no turning back if it's crossed. Something will definitely change if I turn the suspicion that Bryan has aroused in me into words."No, nothing," I say finally, seeing his eyes soften."Really?" He looks stunned, "Are you sure?"I sigh, running a hand through my hair and moving across the room, with Jasper following me with short steps, almost imitating my movements."You heard everything, so you should know I don't believe what Bryan is saying. Besides, I was there, and you didn't threaten that Alfred asshole."Jasper stares at me without saying a word, and I quickly add, crossing my arms impatiently, "And I mean, you know it... I told you I killed someone, and you didn't bat an eye.""Maybe that's a sign that I'm really someone dangerous?" He says provocatively, making me snort and