I just smiled in answer and smoothed a stray strand out of her face.
“How is that I feel safe around you?”
“Because you’ve known me for years.”
She put her hand on my left pec. “You know. You’re my heart, too.”
Her innocent words shot straight to my already erratic organ pounding in my chest.
“I’m embarrassing you, aren’t I?” She chewed on her plump bottom lip, and I had an overwhelming urge to taste her mouth.
“Never, Theodora, you never embarrass me.” My voice sounded like someone had scraped sandpaper against my vocal chords. “You make me proud and I won’t let anyone take that pride away from you.” My nose touched hers and I knew the inevitable was going to happen, but I was too caught up to stop. My lips touched hers softly at first, and she kissed me back as a small sound came from the back of her throat. Soon, I gripped her cheeks between my palms, desperate for more. She opened her mouth to me and I delved in deeper, wanting to lose myself in her. My senses were overwhelmed by an innocent kiss from this girl who I’d known for years…
My mind came back to the present. “That’s all for today, I would encourage you look over polymers in living systems and types of biochemical reactions because there will be a quiz next class.” I didn’t even know what the fuck this guy was talking about. I’d been sitting in some kind of time capsule of memories and studied Theodora as she typed notes on her laptop the whole time the professor spoke.
“Hey, man, you pumped about the game Saturday night?” The guy sitting in front of me, from the practice squad, asked. I couldn’t remember his name, and wasn’t in the mood to talk shop. People were filing out, and Theodora gathered up her things.
“Yeah,” I answered in annoyance because she slid out of her seat and scooted off in the opposite direction down the aisle to the far exit.
“Me too. If we win, we could be ranked in the top ten in the nation.”
He was talking, but I was too busy watching her slip out the door. I stood up and acknowledged whatever he’d said with a nod. I was already plotting the next time I’d see my little lying Theodora again. You’re my heart, too. Her words from the past were etched in my soul.
Theodora
Kenzie: U r going 2 the game with me tomorrow nite.
Kenzie: Not taking no for an answer.
I sighed, clicking off the message as I sat down in my seat. This time I moved over to the opposite side of the auditorium where only one seat was open among a cluster of students just in case class crasher showed up. Once settled, I clicked on my phone and answered.
Me: Fine.
I crouched down lower in my chair, hoping to stay incognito. The guy beside me was pretty tall and brawny, so it was hard to see past him. Feeling mixed relief that I didn’t see him, I relaxed and clicked on my Chromebook. Dr. Smith was arranging his notes at the podium. He was an older man and apparently had an aversion to technology since most professors used the projector and built-in computer at the podium for their slide presentations.
“What’s up, my man? I didn’t know you were in this class,” beefy guy beside me spoke, and I knew before I even looked up who it was.
“Move,” Roman ordered.
“What?”
“Move. Go. Find another seat.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re fucking sitting next to my girl. Move before I lose my shit.”
“Look, bro, she sat next to me.” The large guy stood up with arms raised innocently and shook his head before trudging several seats over.
Roman dropped down in the chair beside me. “Changing seats. How inventive of you.” He reached out and tapped my cheek, and I yanked his hand away.
“Showing up in classes you aren’t enrolled in. How desperate.”
“I am enrolled in this class.” He pulled out a paper showing someone’s signature. “So we’re going to see a lot of each other. Get used to it, and stop trying to hide.”
“I wasn’t hiding. I was avoiding distractions.”
“Is that what I am to you? A distraction?” He flashed a cocky smile. “Because you sure as fuck are a distraction to me. Especially when you get all feisty.”
He was a big distraction that was growing worse and worse with each interlude between us. “By the way, I’m not your girl.”
“Is that right?” He said it in a way that he didn’t believe my statement.
“Okay, it’s nine o’clock, so let’s begin,” Dr. Smith announced.
I glanced behind me to see if Nick and Axel were here and saw them in the back where we normally sat. Nick smiled wide and waved while Axel saluted me with two fingers to the temple.
When I turned back, Roman glared at me. “Don’t push me.”
“Or what? You’ll sexually harass me again?” I knew as soon as the words fled my mouth, I’d regret them. His normal caramel eyes turned black. Regardless, I foolishly kept my composure staring right back. Finally, I forced my attention to the lecture. I could feel his eyes raking over me while I took notes.
He moved closer and said quietly for only me to hear. “If I ran light kisses down your skin right here…” He trailed an index finger lightly down the pulse of my neck. “You wouldn’t like that? You always did before.” Goose bumps rose on my arms. “Or if I closed my thumb and finger over your nipple it wouldn’t be sharp as a diamond like the other day?” His fingers slid down my side luckily he didn’t give an explicit demo. “Or what if I nibbled on your clit while I shoved my tongue in your pussy, would you be dripping wet for me?”
His hand was now at my hip, caressing me with his fingers, and I shifted uncomfortably. “Please, stop.” My words were soft.
“I won’t ever stop…with you.” He squeezed my hip and released me, letting me stew with confusion and a funny warmth bubbling in my stomach. However, he did seem to concentrate on class and not bother me anymore.
I studied him out of the corner of my eye. He did have an arresting profile with his thick inky hair spilling over his forehead. His nose was straight and aristocratic. His mouth was full, and I remembered how it felt against my lips and my skin. He had on a red jersey with his number, I’d noticed other players wearing theirs too since it was Friday and the game was tomorrow.
I thought back to when I used to wear his jersey to his games in high school. Now, I wondered if Taylor was the one who wore his number. Did she write him little notes before the games like I used to? Did she bask in his happiness when they won? Did she console him when they lost? Why was I even thinking about her? Why was I thinking about him? Why was Roman following me around if they were together?
He twirled his pen between his fingers, and I couldn’t help thinking how large his hands were. He could easily catch the football with one hand even with defenders trying to drag him down. Roman was a big guy with hard muscle but not overly bulky. He was hard around the edges but had always been gentle with me. Until recently.
“You keep looking at me like that and I’m going to lose my focus,” Roman said quietly in my ear with smugness. I rolled my eyes and gave my attention back to Dr. Smith.
When class ended, I stood up quickly stepping past him. I assumed he would grab me or block my way, but he didn’t. As I walked up the aisle, Nick and Axel stepped out with me. “Missed you today,” Nick said and tugged a strand of my hair.