The Unwanted Bride Of Atticus Fawn

~SCARLETT~

I bite my l*p and take a deep breath before I say, “I saw you leaving the field; I was worried.”

It was only partly the truth.

His tongue is against his cheek as he leans closer, “I think you’re lying to me, Scarlett. What is the real reason that you’re in the boy’s locker room tonight?”

I try to breathe. I wasn’t ready to ask him, but I knew he wouldn’t rest until I told him the truth.

“Did you play poorly today and refuse to accept the award so you wouldn’t have to k**s someone from the stand?” I asked him the one question I wanted to ask. I blurt it out all at once. I knew there was no taking it back now that he’d heard it.

He exhales sharply, “Why do you want to know that Scarlett?”

“I just want to know,” I whisper. Did I have to tell him why? Shouldn’t he already have an idea?

He tilts his head closer to mine, “You didn’t answer my question.”

“Did you let Ares score so you wouldn’t hurt me by kissing someone else?” I whisper. I didn’t want to make myself believe that he would do something like that just for me. The Carter I knew was selfish; he wouldn’t do something like this for anyone.

His eyes are bright as he gazes at me. “Would that make you happy?”

I shook my head. “No, it wouldn’t.”

He frowns, “I was sure this would make you happy.”

I knew that my response had shocked him. It shocked me, also. I thought I was happy that he hadn’t kissed anyone.

“Tell me, Scarlett,” he says softly. “Why wouldn’t it make you happy?”

It was hard to look him directly in his eyes, but at the same time, I couldn’t look away. I was lost in those eyes.

“Because I know the sacrifice you would make to avoid hurting me,” I answer him.

He quirks a brow at me, “Sacrifice? What sacrifice?”

I press my hands against his chest lightly. “I’ve been watching you on the field, Carter. Since my first game, I saw how much you enjoyed being the star player. You move with so much grace and skill that you captivate everyone in that stand, including me. There’s no one else on your team that can keep up with you. I haven’t seen anyone on the rival teams that could compete, either. I would hate for all of that to end because of something I said to you. I never want to take away something that makes you happy, Carter. And why would you ever do something like that for me?”

He leaned even closer into me, so close that I could feel his warm breath on my face. Our lips are just inches apart; if I moved forward just a little, I could k**s him. His lips parted slightly, and my gaze was stuck on them. They were very kissable, especially now. It took all of my self-control not to give in to my needs.

“Maybe it’s possible that there’s one person more important than football to me.” He whispers.

I felt like all the air had just been pushed out of my lungs at his words.

“Y-you d-don’t mean that.” I stutter.

What the hell was my problem? Why was I speaking like that all of a sudden?

“Oh, but Scarlett, I haven’t been more honest about anything else in my life.” He assured me. “You mean more to me than football does. I did play poorly today for two reasons. One of them was to help my brother, and the other. . . I think you know the answer to that.”

I shook my head. “I don’t.”

His lips touch mine lightly, and it feels like electricity in my veins. “For you. I’d rather lose that match than hurt you again, Scarlett.”

I gasp against his lips, and he inhales sharply, almost like he’s breathing me in.

“I don’t believe you,” I whisper. “Why would you do something like that for me? I’m nothing to you.”

“Nothing to me?” He asks; I can tell he thinks I’d just said the most ridiculous thing possible. “What makes you think that?”

“Don’t try to lie to me,” I whisper. “I’m not your girlfriend, not even your friend. We’re barely acquaintances. Why would you do anything that major for me?”

Instead of answering my question, Carter pulls my bottom l*p into his mouth and sucks it hard. I gasp, and he does the same to my top l*p. I could feel butterflies in my stomach.

What was happening? Why did I suddenly feel weak in the knees?

When Carter’s about to deepen the k**s, we hear footsteps. He picks me up into his arms and walks into one of the shower rooms. He shuts the door and locks it.

I can hear men’s voices. My eyes widen. They were all entering the locker room at the same time.

I was stuck in here with Carter!

What was I supposed to do?