Wild Man (Wild Men Book 1), page 5
“I may enjoy running,” she says. “But I don’t like the competition. Or really, anything with a ball.”
“Now that’s just too easy,” I say with a grin.
She fights a smile. “Seriously? You’re going to flirt with me again?”
“Of course I am. And to get back to your comment—you really don’t like anything with balls? Or do you mean anyone?”
Her cheeks flush. “Any games that involve a ball. The rules make no fucking sense.”
I chuckle. “Which rule exactly?”
She waves her hand in the air. “You name it. The one you told me about where you can’t step out of bounds and then back in and catch the ball.”
I smile. “That’s already been overlooked tonight twice.”
“But according to you, it’s a legitimate rule.”
“It is. And in an actual football game, it makes more sense.” I reach out and tug her ponytail. “Sparky.”
Our debate is interrupted by the snap of the ball.
For the rest of the half, we don’t have another chance to talk.
At halftime, some of the guys go back to their motor coaches for snacks and to check in.
I watch as Sky says something to her brothers, and then they head in the direction of the motor homes and trailers while she goes over to the bench and sits down by herself. She brings her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around them. A notebook sits by her side, and she glances down at it and then picks it up and starts scribbling. Something about her sitting there hits me square in the chest. She just looks so…lonely.
I’m well aware that she’s pushed off every attempt of mine to get to know her, but I don’t give up easily. Grabbing my backpack from the sideline, I stride over to her.
When she looks up, I point to the empty spot next to her on the bench. “Mind if I join you?” I hold up my backpack. “I’ve got two unopened bottles of water.”
She surprises the hell out of me when she nods. “Sure.”
I pull out the two water bottles and hand her one as she closes her notebook and places it on her lap.
“Thank you.”
I watch her twist open the cap, and then I stare, transfixed, at the slender column of her throat as she drinks half the bottle of water.
When she finally puts it down, she shoots me a quick smile. “I was so thirsty.”
Her expression is purely appreciative; for a split second, she’s lost that wariness she seems like she was born with.
“So you were pretty feisty on the field,” I say as I open my own bottled water. “Are you always that brash?”
She slides further away from me on the bench. “I’m not brash,” she says, dropping her gaze. “Believe me.”
“Hey.” I touch her arm. “I didn’t mean any offense.”
She shakes her head as if at herself and looks up at me again. Her eyes have gone blank. “I know you didn’t. Don’t worry about it.”
We lapse into an awkward silence, and then we both concentrate on drinking our waters. I keep sneaking peeks at her, wondering what’s going on inside her head.
Chapter Twelve
Skylar
I’m nervous. I think that’s what those butterflies dancing in my stomach must mean. But, it’s a good nervous. Not like when I’d be home alone with my father.
The way I feel sitting next to Colton Wild makes me feel alive. He’s ridiculously flirtatious and completely overwhelming. He’s larger than life with his infectious personality and fun-loving nature. And he’s so…masculine.
I have no experience with guys. I’ve never had the opportunity to date or even really hang out with boys. When Colton teases me for being brash, all I can think about is how very unbrash I’ve been for the majority of my childhood. Living with an abuser comes with its own set of rules, and being brash isn’t typically one of them. Learning how to keep your head down, stay quiet, and follow orders…those are the traits I mastered over my sixteen years.
“So how long is halftime?” I ask abruptly.
His eyes brighten. “Usually as long as it takes the Shaughnessy twins to each eat a sandwich, catch a little TV, and then get their asses back here. They’re the ones who orchestrate these daily games, so we let them get away with taking their sweet time when we break.”
“You seem like you’ve gotten to know the kids here pretty well.”
“Sports are an easy way to make friends.” He tilts his water bottle toward me. “How about you? Have you met a lot of the girls here?”
“A few,” I say noncommittally. “Not too many. I guess I’ve been more of a loner.”
“Are you always that way?”
I pick at the paper wrapper on my water bottle. “Maybe. I just…”
“You just what?” He leans forward like he really wants to know.
I rip the wrapper off the plastic bottle completely. “Nothing. I’m just weird, I guess.”
And now I’m feeling a panic attack coming on.
I suck in a breath, trying to ignore my sweating palms as Colton reaches over and takes my hand in his. “I understand.”
My breathing starts to even out at his calming statement. “You do?”
He nods, and for the first time, I see real pain cross his face. “I’m kind of…going through something with my family right now. Sometimes, being alone feels easiest.”
Without realizing I’m doing it, I find myself squeezing his hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” His expression shifts back to his usual mischievous manner. “I like holding your hand, Sky.”
I jerk it out of his grasp, and he grins at me. “Does that make you nervous?”
Ivan’s words of warning flash through my brain. “Don’t get too close to anyone. Hang out, and have a good time. But keep your distance. This isn’t a good time to make a lifelong friendship, you hear me? That will come later when you’re safe and settled. But not on this trip. Colorado is for shaking the devil and starting fresh. Deal?”
“Deal,” we all said.
I promised him. I promised the man who acts more like a father to me than my own. And I know he always wants what’s best for us.
But right now, as I sit on the bench next to Colton and look into his clear blue eyes, I want to disobey Ivan and Mom.
I want Colton Wild to be a real friend for me. And the truth is I want more than that with him. He’s been turning me on since I met him an hour ago. Even when he irritates me nonstop on the football field, he makes me want to get to know him.
It takes everything I have to shutter my expression and tell him politely, “No, it doesn’t make me nervous. I’m just not interested in anything romantic. So when you flirt…”
The obvious disappointment on his face disappears quickly, to be replaced by his easy smile. “Got it. No flirting. Right?”
I nod in relief. “Right.”
He tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. I can’t stop the shiver from running through me.
“Have you been for a walk through the forest?” He points behind us to the woods I’ve fallen in love with.
“I’ve been walking there every day. I love it.”
His eyes light up. “Want to walk with me? I’ll show you a cool spot I bet you haven’t seen.”
I glance down at my phone. “I’ll have to text my brothers first. They’ll worry.”
He nods, and if I’m not mistaken, the look on his face is approval.
Before I can type a word, a text comes through from Ben.
Starved. Grabbing a snack. You okay?
I’m fine, I type. Take your time.
“They seem like good big brothers.” Colton’s voice cuts through the sudden silence that’s hit the bench we’re sitting on.
“They are.” I almost tell him how we have no choice but to rely on each other, but I bite my lip to keep the secret from spilling out.
Colton’s eyes are on me, though, and his gaze dips to my mouth and then back up. He opens his mouth like he’s going to ask more but then reaches for my hand instead.
“Let’s go.”
Colton was right. I haven’t been to the spot he takes me to.
“I don’t know how I missed this,” I say softly as I turn around in a full circle. “It’s amazing here.”
We’re in the middle of a stand of aspen trees. The sun peeks through the delicate leaves of the aspens, and the sky is a cloudless blue. The grass at our feet is soft and lush, and I hear the cry of a hawk as it flies overhead. This place is truly magical.
“The mountains are peeking through.” I point at the majestic peaks in the distance. “I love seeing them.”
“I’m lucky,” Colton says. “I grew up at the base of a mountain.”
“You’re from Colorado?” I ask him.
“Montana,” he says. “The mountains are different up there but beautiful in their own way. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have them to center me. I’m always looking at them when I’m outside.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Where are you all from?” he asks me. “Nick and Ben never mentioned.”
I nod. “Yeah. Um…we’re going to our home in Connecticut after this vacation.”
“New England, huh?” He winks. “They’ve got a pretty good football team.”
I dig my teeth into my bottom lip and don’t say anything more. I can feel my chest starting to heave from the tension coursing through my body. I can hear Ivan in my head, warning me to keep my mouth closed. I stare up at Colton helplessly and then look behind him to the mountains peeking through the aspen leaves.
The beauty of the Rockies settles me, and I catch my breath.
Colton takes the hint and doesn’t ask more questions.
And somehow, my anxiety turns into attraction. My stomach turns in knots for this boy standing across from me, so innocent and kind and yet so sexy and mature. Despite his teasing nature, he acts older than his seventeen years.
His blue eyes lock onto my green ones, and I take a step closer to him.
He reaches out for my waist, and his warm hands envelop my sides.
The breeze is blowing gently, and the sun is hitting our faces. If there could be a perfect place in the world for a first kiss, I swear it would be right here. And if there were a perfect moment…well, I’m no expert, but I can’t imagine a time better than this.
Colton leans in toward me. “Sky…” he says, his eyes roving over my face.
I don’t know what he sees in my expression. But whatever it is breaks the tension between us.
Colton drops his hands off my body, stuffs them into his shorts pockets, and steps backward. Before I can react, he sinks down to the grass and pats the spot next to him.
I join him, taking a seat cross-legged. “Let’s play twenty questions,” I say, wanting to slap my hand over my mouth as soon as the suggestion comes out.
Colton grins. “Sure.”
He leans in and whispers into my ear, “I’ll never push you or make you uncomfortable, Sky. You can trust me.”
Even so…
“I’ll ask first,” I say.
He holds his arms out wide. “Ask away.”
“How long have you been playing football for?”
“My dad had me out in the backyard as soon as I was strong enough to throw a ball.” He laughs. “I remember sitting on his knee in our living room and watching games together. Some of my happiest memories.”
As he talks about how much he loves Sundays, I’m struck by how different our experiences were as kids. He probably sat and watched some of the same games with his father as I did with mine, and yet he’s smiling like he had the time of his life doing it.
“So your dad really loves sports?” I ask him.
His eyes cloud over, and I feel like I lose him when he says in a raspy voice, “One of his favorite things in the world. Outside of his family, of course.”
“Are you okay?” I say, reaching for his arm.
He relaxes as I run my hand down his muscular bicep.
“Yeah.” He shakes his head. “Sorry. Sometimes I get caught up in the past. What about you?” he asks, turning the tables abruptly. “How long have you been writing?”
I look down at the notebook I brought with us on our walk. “I’ve kept a journal off and on for years. But I started writing for the school paper in high school. I love it.”
“Is that why you wanted to play twenty questions?” he asks with a smile. “You like to interview people?”
I think about it. “Maybe so,” I admit. “I like getting to know what’s underneath a person. You know—who they really are.”
“Do people often surprise you?” he asks.
“All the time.”
“In good ways or bad ways?”
“Both.”
He nods and tucks a stray hair behind my ear. “Another question,” he says. “What’s your last name, Skylar?”
I choke on the sip of water I just took.
Colton pats my back until I stop coughing. “You okay now?” he asks.
“Yes. Sorry,” I say. “Wrong pipe.” I blurt out, “Rosewood.”
“What?”
“That’s my last name.”
He smiles. “Cool.”
“Colton…” I look into his eyes that are suddenly so close to mine.
“Yeah?” His breath brushes my cheek. It smells good, like mint.
“What are you doing?” I can’t believe how husky my voice sounds.
Is this what lust does to a person’s voice?
“Do you want me to stop flirting with you, Sky?”
No.
Before I have to answer him, my phone buzzes.
Relieved at the interruption, I read Ben’s text and jump up. “Halftime’s over. We better go.”
I can’t believe I almost kissed him.
Keeping control over everything, including my emotions and my body, is vital. My mother showed me time and again how my life depends on it.
Colton follows me out of the woods and back to the fields.
Chapter Thirteen
Colton
I nearly kissed her.
A girl I’ve known for all of an afternoon, and I can’t keep my hands off of her.
I could have kissed her for hours back in those woods.
But her eyes went wide with nerves the closer I got to her. So I backed off.
She was warm and soft and smelled so damn good. I was holding back the entire time I was with her, willing her not to turn and run away from me.
Because that girl is scared of something. I’m not sure if it’s because she’s not used to a boy’s attention or if she’s got something else going on that she’s keeping to herself. But whatever it is, I didn’t dare make a move on her. No matter how gentle I would have kissed her, she wasn’t ready.
I’m not giving up, though. That’s not the Wild way.
The second half starts fast, and I get caught up in the game. I catch the ball three times in succession, and the last time, I run it in for a touchdown. I run so near to Sky as I try to get around her that she shrieks. In reality, I’m probably two feet away from her, but I pretend to cut closer before breaking away.
“Showoff,” Sky teases me when I return to the line of scrimmage with my hands in the air in a celebratory pose. “You nearly ran me over!”
“I wasn’t as close as it seemed. But wait until the next time I get the ball,” I say to her with a smirk. “You better be ready, Sparky.”
I hold true to my word.
I’d already gotten into the habit of jogging right by her whenever the ball was snapped. I’d get so close I could hear her initial inhale of surprise, and then she’d curse me out.
It became addictive to me. She’d become addictive. And I wanted more.
So the next time I catch the ball on a slant pass, I slow down just enough to throw Sky over my shoulder.
“Are you fucking out of your mind?” she shouts.
I keep my hand glued to her ass to make sure she doesn’t fall. “Most likely,” I say. “But I’d do it again just to have you with me.”
“Colton, put me the fuck down!”
She’s giving me a hard-on. That crass mouth of hers combined with my hand on her ass as she kicks at me…it’s driving me wild.
“Jackass!” she yells as she beats at my back with her tiny fists.
“Sparky, when I cross the line, I want you in my arms.”
“Oh my God, you’re such a perv!”
I laugh, the hardest I can remember laughing since I found out my dad had gotten sick again.
And just like I promised, I cross the finish line with her.
“What is that, like carrying your bride over the threshold?” bursts out of her mouth as I gently deposit her back onto the ground feet first.
We stare at each other. “I didn’t think of it that way,” I finally say. “But I’m not objecting.”
She grabs the football out of my hands. “I’m only sixteen,” she says. “That’s far too young to be thinking about marriage.”
I follow her back down to the line of scrimmage. “I’m seventeen. Isn’t that a little young also?”
She glances at me out of the side of her eye. “Exactly. You’re about ten years ahead of yourself.”
“Why ten years?” I persist.
“I figure you’ll need about that long to mature. Boys always take longer than girls.”
I lightly tug her ponytail. “But you’re a year younger than me.”
“True. And I have a feeling I’m not going to be ready for a while.” She claps her hand over her mouth. “Forget I said that. It’s none of your business.”
But I just smile. “I’ll wait for you, Sparky.”
Her cheeks turn bright red. “Shut up. Jackass.”
But as she turns away from me, I see her smiling. It’s one of the first walls-down, genuine smiles I’ve seen out of her.
Which just makes me want to get her to smile even more.
Chapter Fourteen
Skylar
When the game ends, my brothers try to entice everyone into a quick follow-up.
“One more half game,” Ben challenges, tossing the football into the air. “Losers have to start the bonfire tonight.”
