Chapter Two #2
“It is. Though I’ve had very few injuries thus far beyond fractured ribs. I’m sure I’ll have plenty in the NHL. But I know the risks and I love the game. It’s worth it to me. It’s hard for most people to understand, I guess.”
She stopped writing and looked at me carefully. “I understand. I’ve been surfing since I could stand on the board by myself. People around here are always asking why I’d want to risk being eaten by a shark or swept out to sea.”
I laughed. “That’s also a valid question. What’s your answer?”
“Same as yours.” She shrugged. “I love surfing, and the risks aren’t nearly as high as people think they are.
It could happen, sure, but I stay alert.
I’ve seen a couple sharks, and when I do, I just head back to shore.
Plus, most of the time I surf with my dad and uncle, who’s a Navy SEAL.
There’s no way I’d get swept out to sea with his swimming and rescue skills.
I’m pretty sure he could take the shark too. ”
I laughed. “He sounds intense.”
“Nah.” She twisted her silky hair around her hand and laid it over one shoulder. “But he does have a way of making you feel secure when you’re with him. Perhaps I just don’t fully appreciate my risk of being eaten by a shark.”
“Would you give it up even if you did?”
“Nope,” she said confidently.
“Then maybe you do get it. Hockey is in my blood, even if my love for it could result in an injury that would change the course of my life one day.”
I ate more of my burger while she jotted down notes in between bites of her salad.
I hoped she didn’t catch me staring, but she was sexy in a studious sort of way, and I was enthralled watching her think and write.
I wasn’t sure how I could have missed this smart, beautiful, athletic woman if she’d been on campus this whole time.
“I’ve never seen you around,” I finally said. She kept making notes. “What year are you?”
“Senior,” she replied without lifting her head.
Same as me.
“Do you play any sports?” I asked.
She looked up and the corners of her mouth rose ever so slightly. “I’m the one asking questions. That’s how interviews work.”
I set down my burger and wiped my hands on the napkin in my lap. “Okay, well I’m trying to have a conversation with the beautiful woman across from me. And this is how conversations work.”
“There is really no need to flatter me, Leo. You won’t be jumping out of my window in the morning.” She flipped to a different page in her notebook, skimming over a list of questions.
“You know,” I cut in before she could ask anything else. “The only reason I was jumping out of that window is because the girl I went home with last night lied to me. She said she was single. This morning, a very angry blonde guy showed up and didn’t seem to agree with that statement.”
“And you had no idea she was involved with someone?” Sophia challenged.
“I may have a reputation for not spending more than one night with most women, but I like to think I’m a pretty decent guy. I’d never knowingly be the interloper in someone else’s relationship. I like keeping things casual and having fun, but I do not like getting punched in the face.”
She scoffed. “Yes, your self-preservation makes you very decent.”
“It’s not just that.” I folded my arms on the table and leaned forward.
“I value honesty. My mistake is sometimes believing that other people are willing to be as honest as I am. Unfortunately, sometimes people want to sleep with me badly enough that they aren’t exactly forthcoming.
Besides, I’m very open to the idea of a relationship. I just haven’t found my person yet.”
“Your arrogance is quite impressive. I’ll be making a note of that,” Sophia said, writing arrogant in large letters across the top of her paper.
“I’m not sure it’s arrogant if it’s true. And you know it’s true because you witnessed the fallout of the situation this morning.”
She took a deep breath. “I don’t play organized sports. I surf at home, like I said. I also follow a workout regime my uncle and I started when I was in high school. I find exercising in the morning clears my head and helps me focus for the rest of the day and I enjoy the consistency in what I do.”
“The SEAL?” I guessed.
“Yes. As you can imagine, it’s very rigorous.”
“That explains all the lean muscle.” I smirked.
Her cheeks pinked. “I do it for the mental and physical health. The rest is just a nice byproduct.”
“It sounds like a fun challenge. I’m curious to see your routine someday.” I smiled and picked up my burger. “Thank you for answering my questions.”
“Seemed like the decent thing to do.” She slurped the rest of her latte down. “Now, can we get back to the interview questions I had planned? Otherwise, we’ll need to meet again because I don’t have enough to work with yet.”
“Shouldn’t have played your cards, Hawaii. I think I’d enjoy meeting up with you again.”
Her blush deepened and my dick stirred at the flush in her checks.
I put my hands in my lap and agreed to answer her questions to be fair to her and her time.
I really hoped something I said left more to be desired on her end.
Another encounter and I might break down a few of those walls, learn a little bit more about Sophia Grimes.
And for the first time, more of me than just my dick liked that idea.