10. Zander
CHAPTER 10
ZANDER
So, she’s right about golf not being her strong suit.
But it gives me an excuse to stand behind her, wrap my arms around her, and show her the best putting motion and how much power to use.
By the twelfth hole, she’s totally getting it, and she actually beats me on the back nine.
“Impressive, Blondie.” I shake her hand like any gentleman would do after a sports game.
“Blondie? Really? You can do better than that.” She wrinkles her nose, looking all kinds of adorable.
I laugh. “Okay, well, so far I’ve tried Bright Eyes, Erling, Blondie, and… Blue, which you said I can’t use because your dad calls you that.”
She nods emphatically, then tucks a long lock of blonde behind her ear.
Tapping my chin, I go for thoughtful, tipping my head and studying her.
She grins, her eyes sparkling like diamonds… and that’s when it hits me.
“It’s gonna have to be Sparky.”
Her laughter is magic, and I wrap my arms around her before I can stop myself. Lifting her off her feet, I give her a quick spin, then grab her hand and walk her back to my car.
“Is it time for the next envelope?”
She sounds so excited, but it takes me a second to answer her, because all I can feel is her body still pressed against mine. It’s taking everything in me not to lift her off the ground again and just carry her around like that for the rest of the night.
“Zander?”
“Uh, yeah.” I clear my throat, then smile at her. “It’s time for your second lame poem of the date.”
Her laughter is music. She’s living life with a personal soundtrack, and I want to make it mine. I could build a playlist from her delighted squeals, her soft giggles, the little “mmm” she makes when I’m talking, like she’s actually hearing what I’m saying and is interested.
Unlocking the car, I pull out the stack of envelopes, leaning against the frame and standing as close to her as I can while she selects the next one.
Her eyes dart to mine, and I can’t help glancing at her lush lips before our gazes connect again.
Sparky is the perfect name for her. I swear, her eyes look like pale, glinting sapphires right now.
“Envelope four,” she sings. “What’s it gonna be?”
She makes a big show of opening it, and I hold my breath, trying to remember what four even is, then grinning when she reads out loud…
“The tooth fairy would kill me for ever suggesting this. But what’s a night on the town without a little sweetness.” She laughs. “Dessert?”
I nod.
“Before dinner?”
“Why not?” I shrug.
“I love it!” She wraps her arms around me, and I breathe her in, holding her close for probably a beat too long. But she doesn’t seem to mind.
Pulling back, I feel her breath across my cheek as she whispers in my ear. “But I’ve heard you don’t eat sugar.”
“That’s my dad’s rule, not mine. One night off won’t kill me.”
“But I don’t want you to end up feeling sick or anything.” Her worried frown is adorable.
I smooth away the lines on her forehead with my thumb. “I’ll be fine, Sparks.” I nod. “Yeah, I’m really liking Sparks for you.”
“Not Sparky?”
“Both work. I’ll mix it up, keep you on your toes.” I wink at her, and the mushy smile I get back makes me feel like a freaking king. “Come on. I know the perfect spot.”
We drive downtown to Monica’s favorite dessert place—The Chocolate Lounge.
It’s all mood lighting and plush sofas. The cushions are plump, and the music is chill. Bookshelves line the walls, and hot chocolates are served in mugs the size of cereal bowls. The dessert they deliver to us should probably be called Mount Heart Attack.
“Wow.” Sienna’s eyes bulge as they place the mountain of custard-filled cream puffs in front of us.
The little pastry puffs are covered in streams of thick chocolate sauce and rivers of caramel. Red berries are dotted in the crevices, and white chocolate flakes cover it all like a dusting of snow.
“I see why they call this Mount Divine.” She licks her lips and reaches for her spork. “I don’t even know how to start this thing.”
I eye it up, the designer dessert looking too good to pull apart. But Sienna’s eyes are bright with hunger, so I go for it, plucking the cream puff off the top and popping it into my mouth.
The sweet explosion is pretty fucking amazing, but I know after only one that my body will hate me if I push it too hard. I’m so used to my strict diet of protein and veggies that refined sugar like this can give me an instant headache.
I down the glass of water beside me, trying to counter the effect, while Sienna keeps digging into the treat, her cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk, her eyes bright with ecstasy as she moans and licks her lips.
“So good,” she keeps groaning. “So, so good.” She shoves another cream puff into her mouth, and I study her throat as she swallows it down and feel my insides stir with desire. She’s hot, even with chocolate smeared all over her lips.
I want to kiss it off.
I want to do a lot of things with this girl.
Leaning my elbow on the table, I listen to her tell me about some of the desserts she’s had around the world.
“And the popsicles with peas frozen into them… they were an experience.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Peas? Like the round green balls you have with roast meat and gravy?”
“Those are the ones.”
“Where was that again?”
“China.”
“Wow.” I bulge my eyes and lean back in my seat.
“To each their own, right?” She giggles, licking the back of her spork before finally slumping back in her seat with a groan. “I think that’s all I got.”
I look at the mound of sugary sweetness and shake my head with a grin. We didn’t even finish half of it.
“Can we take the rest to go, though? My parents will love it.”
“Sure.” I raise my hand to get the waitress’s attention, and she takes the dessert away with a knowing smile.
“That’s okay, isn’t it?” Sienna gives me an uncertain smile. “Or do you want to take it home to your parents?”
I snicker and shake my head. “My dad thinks sugar is evil, and my mom is always on some kind of diet. If I take that home, I’ll get lectures on gut health and insulin spikes and how high-performing athletes should treat their bodies like a temple at all times. Blah, blah, blah.” I roll my eyes.
“You do have a very nice body.” She blushes and looks to the floor. “Just make sure you treat yourself every once in a while. Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed, too, you know?” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “I mean, I get and totally admire the discipline it takes to be a top performer in anything. But I just… well, sometimes I wonder if it’s all worth it. I mean, if you seriously love football more than anything, then you should give it your…” She tips her head. “I was going to say all , but I don’t know if I mean that.”
I gaze at her, wondering if she even knows where she’s going with this. There’s something so mesmerizing about her face and her voice and?—
“I don’t know if there’s anything in life you should give your all to. Like… where’s the balance? Life can’t be work all the time. You’ve got to be able to have fun too. And you definitely should be able to enjoy sweet treats.” She winks at me, licking a spot of chocolate off the corner of her mouth.
I watch her tongue move, only just taking in her words.
Balance. Huh.
Yeah. I get it.
Don’t work too hard.
Make sure I have fun.
That’s what I’m doing right now.
I’m having fun, and…
Shit, I can’t even remember when I had this much fun. Since I was old enough to hold a football, the pressure’s been on.
But right here, in this moment… I’ve never felt lighter.
Leaning forward with a smile, I brush my fingers down her arm. “You ready for the next envelope?”
Her eyes sparkle, and it takes everything in me not to kiss her smile.
“You bet I am, Mr. Quarterback.”
The rest of the night is filled with arcade games, a movie, pizza on the hood of my car, and finally a game of catch in the park near my house.
It’s dark by then, so we play near the streetlights.
I go easy on her, only throwing light passes, but she catches almost all of them, laughing and dancing around between throws. She seems drunk on joy, and I could seriously watch her for… shit, I could watch her for forever.
The lights above us make her hair glow, and I swear if angels were real, she’d be one.
Damn, that is so sappy and romantic. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me, but this girl is…
“Thanks for the best date ever.” Our hands swing together as we walk up to her front door.
The compliment makes my chest warm.
“I don’t know how you’re gonna top it, actually.” Her smile is teasing.
“Yeah, well, I had to make the first one epic. I wanted you to think I was the best.”
“You are the best.”
And there goes that warm feeling in my chest again.
“You could have taken me out to do just one of those things tonight and I would have come home a happy girl.”
“Yeah?”
“I like spending time with you.” She squeezes my hand. “I don’t care what we’re doing. You just make me feel…” Her blush is magic, and I stop her, resting my hand on her hip.
“I make you feel what?”
She tips her head back, stretching her arms wide. “Rapturous. Intoxicated. Euphoric.”
“And she’s a walking thesaurus too.” I grin.
“Blame my parents.” She giggles. “They’re really into the whole ‘word of the day’ thing.”
“I like it.”
“I like you,” she whispers, her cheeks flushing again. “I hope you don’t mind me saying that. I know I can be overly honest sometimes. It can be really problematic, actually.”
Leaning in, I rest my hand on the side of her neck and make my intentions all too clear. “I don’t mind it so much,” I whisper.
It takes all my control to close the space between us slowly.
I want to grab her and press my lips to hers, swipe my tongue into her sweet mouth and taste that luscious, honest tongue of hers.
But I won’t be a douche.
So I take it slow, giving her every chance to pull away from me.
She doesn’t.
Her eyelids flutter closed just as my lips touch hers. The kiss is soft and sweet, just like she is. I sink into it, enjoying the delicate moan that builds in her throat. Her fingers skim up my arm, coming to rest on my shoulders and lightly gripping my jacket as I thread my arm around her waist and pull her flush against me.
She fits so perfectly.
And I’m starting to experience that euphoria she was talking about.
Shit, I’ve probably been experiencing it the whole time I’ve been with her.
But this is next-level.
Her lips are lush and pliant, the pressure perfect. She smells so fucking good, and I want to lift her off her feet again.
This night can’t end.
I want it to keep going until sunrise. Who cares about sleep and rejuvenation? I just want to spend more time with her.
Pulling back, her breath whistles over my mouth, her eyes searching mine, then starting to sparkle like diamonds before she leans in again, kissing me with a touch more urgency. I meet her desire, my hand cupping the back of her head as her tongue swipes across my bottom lip.
I open my mouth, deepening the kiss and now making soft moans of my own.
She feels so good.
Her tongue, her lips, her body.
Splaying my hand across her back, I drag it up to her shoulders, then back down and around her waist, lifting her against me.
Her little whimper sends sparks of pleasure dancing through me. Her fingers diving into the back of my hair… yeah, I could get used to this.
I could?—
The porch light above us flicks on and off a couple times, and I pull away from her, glancing up at the bulb.
Sienna giggles, resting her forehead against my cheek. “Subtle, Dad.”
I let out a soft laugh, brushing my fingers over her ear. “I guess it’s time for you to go in.”
“Yeah.” She beams up at me. “Thanks for the perfect date.”
“You’re welcome.”
“It’s my turn next time.”
I pause. “Really?”
“Yeah, absolutely. You deserve it.”
Damn, she actually means that.
I kiss her once more, just a light peck to say goodbye.
It takes maximum willpower to let her go.
But I do it before that porch light starts flicking again. I don’t want to get her in trouble. Although, I’m guessing trouble in her house looks very different from mine. Her parents would probably wrap her in a hug and give her some meaningful conversation. Unlike me, who gets barked up to my room, grounded on a whim, and never given the right of rebuttal.
Glancing over my shoulder, I drink her in one last time, grinning when I see her resting against the door with a dreamy smile on her face. Her eyes are closed, and she looks…
Holy shit, she looks euphoric and… what were those other words again?
Rapturous or something?
I stop, turning to face her and taking as many mental snapshots as I can.
It’s not until her eyes flick open that I start to move, walking backward with a triumphant grin on my face.
I can’t help it.
She’s all flustered at being caught swooning over me, and it’s adorable.
“Good night, Sparky.”
“Good night, Hot Lips.” She giggles and disappears through the door before I can even form a comeback.
She better not start calling me that.
I roll my eyes. Who am I kidding? She can call me whatever the fuck she wants. Just as long as she keeps spending time with me…
As long as she keeps fueling this feeling in my chest that I already know will be highly addictive.