Player

9. Dixie

DIXIE

The whirring of the electric mixer echoes through the common area as I beat the mixture to a creamy consistency. I contort myself trying to grab the powdered sugar and finally succeed just as a figure approaches me.

The surprise nearly makes me drop the box, which I clutch against myself, spilling some of its contents onto my black tank top.

"Shit," I grunt as I turn off the mixer and set the box back on the counter.

"You shouldn't be baking this late, Alabama."

That familiar voice grates on my nerves, but at the same time, I feel an unexpected flutter in my stomach. I look down at my tank top as much to assess the damage as to avoid looking at Player. White traces speckle my chest, not bad actually.

I'm aware that he's moving toward me, but I can't make the slightest movement. Player is now close enough that his cologne intoxicates me. Yes, it's pathetic, but his scent affects me.

He places his hand on my neck before slowly moving downward, and I close my eyes. My throat tightens with an unfamiliar tension. With the tip of his index finger, he continues his path across my neckline and onto my tank top. When he grazes my nipple, I abruptly open my eyes and look up at him.

Player's gaze searches mine, for what, I don't know, and honestly, it doesn't matter.

His finger traces circles around my nipple and I'm aware that it's hardening and pointing toward Player.

This doesn't escape his notice either, judging by his smirk.

I find myself thinking he's sexy, just as my sex contracts, sending a tingling wave through my belly.

I don't push Player away, and he takes advantage of this to cup my breast without any restraint. A moan escapes me, which extinguishes Player's smile as he suddenly becomes extremely serious.

His other hand moves down to my arm, triggering an uncontrollable flurry of shivers.

Our gazes remain locked, as if I'm hypnotized by his dark eyes. I should pull away from his embrace.

"You're hot, Alabama."

Matching actions to words, Player presses his hips against mine, and I can feel his erection through our clothes. I swallow hard, overcome by an intense, wild desire whose existence I wasn't aware of until this moment.

"Even if you suck at baking."

He stares at me, gauging my reaction to his provocation, but I remain silent. Anyway, all my thoughts are on pause.

"But I have two or three ideas of what we could do here," he continues.

I stare at his lips as if he's about to reveal secrets known only to him.

Player leans toward me and for a moment I think he's going to kiss me, but he veers toward my ear where he whispers...

"Dixie!"

I jump and nearly spill the bowl in my hands. It takes me several seconds to realize I've just been fantasizing about Player! Thankfully, it’s Pia's clear voice that just pulled me out of this Dante's inferno...

"Pass me the sugar, please."

I look at the counter in front of us, searching for the bag in question.

I find it and hand it to Pia, who thanks me.

At what point did my attention wander off?

We're at the cake design workshop for our first session with the club, and the least I can say is that I haven't been very focused on the instructions we were given.

"Are you okay?" Pia asks me.

We've been spending a lot of time together lately, and with Saphya too. She joined the cheerleading team as she'd told us she would, while Pia and I opted for this club.

I turn my attention back to my friend with whom I'm sharing today's project. We're supposed to learn how to prepare different glazes and meringues used to decorate cakes. So far, I haven't been much help.

My response comes a bit late:

"Yeah, I'm just tired."

And turned on. To my greatest despair, I've just realized that Player affects me. That arrogant jerk who happens to be my neighbor does something to me. It’s impossible to deny after the fantasy I just had.

Yet, everything about him irritates me. Especially his way of making lewd comments, like yesterday in the cafeteria.

"I admit I didn't think the pace would be this intense from the very first day," Pia comments. "I already have several projects due for different classes."

I figure the change of subject is welcome and take the opportunity to ask my roommate, "Really? What do you have to do?"

Pia carefully mixes the contents of the bowl in front of us while answering, "Tons of stuff!

For example, I have to create a sketch for sculpture class using a live model.

Our teacher wants us to focus on one body part that we have to reproduce as faithfully as possible, but we also need to be original. It's super difficult!"

"Have you started yet?"

"More or less,” Pia says. "Let's say I'm looking for an idea."

"If I can help, don't hesitate."

Pia glances at me before turning her attention back to our preparations spread across several containers.

"That's sweet, I'll keep it in mind."

I mix some frosting, more to keep myself busy than because this cake really needs it.

The fantasy about Player won't leave me alone, in fact, I feel like it's sticking to my skin, and I can't untangle my feelings about it.

One moment, I feel pathetic for being attracted to this guy, and the next, I feel this tension in my body calling for release.

Player represents everything I hate in a man.

That's the thought I need to cling to. The problem is that he displays a confidence that I find really sexy.

He talks about sex as if he's an expert in the field, and somehow, that speaks to a part of me.

Probably the part that wants to let him have his way.

But he doesn't want to sleep with me. He's said it enough times, I'm not the type of woman he likes. Good! Or is it bad?

I let out a small sigh of frustration. I'd like to be clear with myself, but that seems impossible when it comes to Player. He constantly interferes with what I consider to be my values.

I'm no closer to figuring things out when we meet Saphya back at the dorm that evening.

Settling in the living room, we share Chinese takeout while chatting about our day. Pia just gave a detailed account of the cake design workshop, and while listening to her, I felt like I hadn't even been present.

"The cheer team is really great," Saphya declares. "They're talented, and while I’m still on the trainee squad, I think the varsity can go very far, maybe even win the national championship in Daytona."

My heart tightens a little thinking about that famous competition. Its reputation precedes it across the country, all teams dream of winning the celebrated trophy, and mine was no exception.

I push away the memories that are just waiting to resurface. I can't handle everything at once. my attraction to Player and my painful past. In truth, I just want to forget both. Yes, that's the ideal solution, pure and simple denial. Nothing is more effective.

"I'm amazed really at the new ideas they’re bringing into their routine," Saphya continues. "It could earn them the points they need to win the title."

It makes me happy to see her so motivated and involved when she's barely joined the team. Saphya is passionate, she even has a big binder where she records every element that inspires her.

"Anyway, I don't want to bore you with all this," she concludes after explaining the workings of what she calls her Golden Ticket Book . The truth is, she's not boring me at all—quite the opposite—but I can't immerse myself in that world again. At least, not if I want to move forward.

"Did things get better with Player?"

Saphya's question is directed at me, and it comes completely out of the blue.

Just when I wanted to stop thinking about him—epic fail.

Pia looks at me curiously, and I realize the girls are waiting for the latest gossip about our arrogant neighbor.

I summarize yesterday's cafeteria scene and shrug as I conclude:

"That guy really has a problem with me..."

"I'd say he's actually into you," Saphya replies. I stare at her, wide-eyed, and she adds, "Yeah, he reminds me of those little boys in elementary school who pull the hair of the girl they like."

"So your theory is that he picks on me because he wants to sleep with me?"

I almost choke getting that ridiculous sentence out.

"It's obvious," Saphya affirms with a nod.

"If you think about it from that angle," Pia adds, "it does make sense."

"Not you too!" I protest. "Player was very clear that he only sleeps with mature women. I don't believe for a second that he wants anything from me. Except to make me crack, for his stupid game."

Saphya looks at me silently for a moment, then says, "It's not great for his ego." I frown, not understanding what she's talking about, and she clarifies, "What he said about doing you in the cafeteria without others noticing."

I blink several times and Pia shakes her head. I don't know if my new friend is horrified by the turn this conversation is taking, but she surprises me by adding:

"Yeah, since he thinks he's a sex god, it would make more sense for him to want everyone to know that you got off because of him."

I let out a small laugh. "I can't believe this! Do you hear yourselves? I'm certain he's not into me and just wants to have fun, like a cat playing with a mouse."

"And in the end, she gets devoured," Saphya retorts. "You won't convince me that he doesn't want to taste you, Dixie."

Pia giggles quietly. It’s a good play on words.

My fantasy resurfaces in my mind. Despite all logic, my body seems inclined to surrender to Player.

But I'm more than just a bunch of hormones trapped in a body!

I have strength of character, and I fully intend to stand against Player.

I straighten up and square my shoulders before declaring, "Well, he's not going to have me! "

"Well said," Pia approves.

"He can find himself another prey," I add, "because I won't give in."

"He does have killer abs though," Saphya comments.

I give her a dismayed look."Whose side are you on?"

My friend raises her hands innocently. "Yours, of course!"

I nod with satisfaction, but Saphya isn't finished.

"But I do have eyes," she adds, "and I can tell you that Player is smoking hot. Honestly, I'm surprised there isn't a line outside his bedroom door."

At the thought that he might sleep with women right here, in our apartment, my stomach tightens. It's stupid! Completely inappropriate! Player has the right to hook up with whoever he wants. Actually, it would be good if he did, at least maybe he'd finally stop pushing my buttons once and for all.

Yes, I think I'll actually suggest he do it, so I can finally be rid of him.