Chapter 15 Ethan
Chapter Fifteen
ETHAN
I caught the towel tossed my way and dragged it over my face.
The sounds of the crowd were nothing but buzz to my ears.
We’d barely squeaked out a win on this game, and I was bloody exhausted.
The opposing team’s offense had worked our defense to the bone.
Alex, as usual, had managed to keep any shots out of the net, but that didn’t mean we weren’t fucking worn out.
This same team had almost bested us last season too, and it felt like they were out for blood this year.
Someone nudged my shoulder, and I glanced up to see Liam. “Great work, mate. They made you boys work for it. The offense had it easy tonight,” he said with a wink and a grin.
He handed over a bottle of water, which I promptly guzzled.
I looked up toward the stands, my eyes landing on the owner’s box where I knew Zoe was with Olivia.
I loved knowing she was here. Back in London, I was accustomed to having my family watch me play.
At any given game, one or all of my sisters were there, along with my parents.
Ever since I’d signed with the Stars, it was rare for me to have anyone specifically here to see me play.
My family had flown out a few times, but it wasn’t the same.
If I had to put my finger to one thing I missed playing here, it was that.
As such, it felt strangely good to know Zoe was here.
My heart tightened and gave a kick. I shied away from thinking too much about what that meant.
I’d been all but obsessed with Zoe ever since the other night with her.
It was fair to say I’d never chased after a woman.
But then it was fair to say no woman had even remotely affected me the way Zoe did.
I didn’t want to ponder about any of it.
I just wanted to see her. Again and again and again.
With my teammates crowding around me, we made our way down the stadium hall toward the locker room.
Alex nudged me and before I knew it, I was trapped in an after game interview with him.
Since our defense had been all that stood between our team and a loss, we had to talk about it.
Our offense had scored one goal, but otherwise, the opposing team had managed to control the game.
I still didn’t understand the sports media in America.
They wanted to talk to you right away when you couldn’t even catch your fucking breath.
For big games, they liked to do that and throw clusters of players up for longer questioning sessions after we showered.
All in all, for a country that didn’t have the fervor for true football the way the rest of the world did, it was rather confusing and tried my patience.
I managed to avoid the second round of interviews, but I was annoyed and worried Zoe might take off before I got to see her.
I rushed through a shower and threw on clothes before heading out.
The stadium hallway echoed with the murmur of voices from various points.
As I rounded the corner to where Coach’s office was, I smiled because I heard Zoe’s voice.
I leaned against the doorway to find Olivia with Bentley’s leash curled in her hand talking with Zoe who was squatting down to pet Bentley.
Bentley was Olivia and Liam’s spoiled rotten dog.
He was small and brown all over with one ear that stuck up.
He was so endearing that basically anyone walking by slathered him with affection.
Zoe and Olivia didn’t notice I was there, so I took the moment to enjoy the sight of Zoe.
She’d changed since I saw her at work earlier.
Aside from being bare naked with her, this was the first time I’d seen her in something other than her usual work uniform of a fitted skirt and blouse with a cropped jacket.
By the way, I fucking loved those outfits.
She looked so tidy and buttoned up, it made me want to just rip her clothes off.
Yet, it was nice to see her more relaxed.
She wore another skirt, this one of soft black fabric that twirled around her knees.
It made me want to flip it up. She’d paired it with a pair of black cowboy boots and a silky white blouse.
Fuck me. I was bloody exhausted, and my body started humming just at the sight of her.
Someone clapped me on the shoulder, and I glanced over to find Liam. I’d been so zoned out staring at Zoe I didn’t even hear him approach me. He leaned against the opposite side of the door and winked at me. “So? Zoe,” he said, his voice low.
Liam might’ve fallen head over heels in love with Olivia, but that hadn’t cured him of his tendency to tease. Just now, he had a sly grin, and I knew he was hoping to get under my skin. Funny thing was, I didn’t really care.
“That’s right.”
His grin faded, his gaze flicking to Olivia, Zoe and then back to me. “She’s not your usual type.”
Now that got to me. “Why…?” I started to ask, but then Olivia looked over.
“Hey boys!” she called as she dropped Bentley’s leash and strode across Coach’s office to Liam.
He promptly lifted her against him and kissed the hell out of her.
Precisely what I wanted to do to Zoe. But that’s not where things were with us.
Perhaps if we’d been alone, I might’ve. Hell, I definitely would’ve done far more than that.
It wasn’t that I had a problem with heavy PDA.
In fact, I was easy come, easy go with that.
But then, all I’d ever done was casual. Zoe didn’t feel casual, and I had no idea how she’d feel if I snogged her right here with Liam and Olivia as our audience and whoever else might walk by.
She straightened and looked over. The second her eyes locked with mine, it was as if a match lit the air between us, a flame licking its way across the room. Her hair was down. One look at those tousled auburn locks tumbling around her shoulders, and blood shot straight to my groin.
“You two out for a staring match?” Liam asked, his voice breaking into my fuzzed thoughts.
I glanced his way to find Olivia nudging him in the side with her elbow. She looked to Zoe. “Don’t mind him. He doesn’t know how to behave in public.”
Zoe bit her lip and smiled. “Okay then.” She straightened her shoulders and strolled over to us, stopping just in front of me. “Nice to see you again, Liam.” Her eyes bounced between us. “Great game.”
“Your boy here did most of the hard work,” Liam added with a grin. “I had it easy tonight.”
“We always do the hard work,” I countered.
“Not always, mate, but tonight for certain,” Liam returned with a roll of his eyes.
Though the air around us felt electric with Zoe near me, I sensed a reserve from her. Only belatedly did I realize she was likely worried about any appearance of impropriety. Little did she know that only made me want her more.
I relied on habit to get through a few more minutes of teasing from Liam and casual chatting with Olivia.
I was relieved when Olivia nudged Liam and said they had to go.
Though I wanted to slam Coach’s office door shut and bend Zoe over the desk, I hedged my bets.
I’d have better luck somewhere private. We walked alongside Liam and Olivia through the stadium hallway outside.
With the crowd still filtering out, it wasn’t likely anyone would notice Zoe with me.
Knowing she’d likely be furious if I did what I wanted—yank her to me and kiss her senseless without giving a bloody damn for anyone who noticed—I kept my hands to myself and played calm.
Meanwhile, lust surged through me. I’d meant what I’d said earlier that I wanted her to wear her hair down more, but I hadn’t pondered the effect it would have on me.
Between that and her flirty skirt, I was exercising phenomenal restraint.
It was a damn good thing I was exhausted from the game, otherwise my tether would have snapped.
A bit later, I stood outside the entrance to Zoe’s flat.
I’d persuaded her to share a cab with me.
Seeing as my flat was only a few blocks away, I’d hopped out and paid the cab driver before she could argue the point.
I could tell she wanted to argue, so when she opened her mouth, I kissed her instead.
That had flustered her enough, she’d shot me a glare but stayed quiet when I got out with her.
It wasn’t rainy tonight, but the air was damp and cool.
Her hair glinted from the streetlight nearby.
She paused at the entrance, her hand curled on the handle as if she was holding on for dear life.
When she looked over at me, she was chewing the inside of her cheek, and I could tell she was worrying about something.
“No need to worry, luv,” I said without thinking.
Her eyes flashed and she cocked her head to the side. “What makes you think I’m worrying?”
I swear, she just wanted to be contrary with me.
Fine. I stepped closer and reached over to slide my fingers through the ends of her hair, which conveniently happened to be over her breast. I could feel her nipple tighten against the backs of my fingers and took my time toying with her hair just to prolong the moment.
“Because you’re doing that thing with your mouth,” I explained.
Her eyes narrowed as she stared at me, but I didn’t miss the flutter of her pulse in her neck and the way her breath came in short little pants.
She was silent, long enough that the moment tightened around us and the air became heavy.
I was coming to learn it was nigh impossible for me to be near her and not want her like mad.
I was already hard, and we were just standing there.
“Invite me in,” I said, my voice a gruff whisper.