Natalie
Past
"Can't you just let me pass?" I ask the guard standing in front of the gate to the stadium. He is a big guy, clearly not interested in letting me watch the football game for free.
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"I said no."
"What if I said I was undercover and needed to go inside?"
The guard glares down at me, built like a bull and bald. "No chance. You will have to pay like everybody else. This is a charity event, and all the money will go to the children's hospital."
"Yeah, but tonight I'm the charity case needing your help! My friends are all inside, waiting for me! Sadly, I left my wallet at home! Help me! Please! I have to join my friends!"
The guard narrows his eyes while I hear laughter from the guy standing behind me in the line.
I spin around and freeze upon seeing possibly the most handsome creature that has ever roamed this earth.
It might be the alcohol talking, but wow: brown hair, tanned skin, blue ocean eyes, and built like a Greed god—hurray for finding a man who fills all those cliché boxes!
My eyes do a double-take. The stranger got some severe biceps going on. I'm all bubbly on vodka, so I'm not shy about looking, and the man tilts his head, showing me his pearly white teeth.
"Charity case, huh?" He asks, and even his slight accent sounds charming. I can't place where he comes from, but his voice gives me flutters in all the right places.
I smile at him, letting the alcohol take over. "Yeah... You don't feel like an angel today? Would you be so kind as to buy a ticket for me?"
"I can do better than that," he winks at the guard. "Let the mistress in—I'm about to take her front row."
The guard widens his eyes and immediately steps aside. "Yes, Parker! I didn't realize she was your friend!"
"Thank you, Julian."
Parker hooks his arm with mine, pulling me inside without even asking me if I want to come with him. But let's be honest—I would follow those blue eyes anywhere in my intoxicated state.
"Thank you," I say, blushing at the contact with his skin. I've never as much kissed a guy before. "For... Letting me inside..."
"It's nothing," he smiles down at me. "I'm Noah Parker, one of the football players playing tonight."
I gasp. "Then you shouldn't be here with me!"
Noah laughs. "I know—I should hurry to be in time for the game, but first, I'm delivering you to your seat."
"Oh, but I can find my friends myself!"
His smile turns brighter, and he stops walking. I crash right into his hard chest, and he grabs my arms, smiling knowingly. "I've stood behind you for about thirty minutes, and I know you're drunk. The only reason you're standing up is that I'm holding you, silly."
I pout at him, trying to glare at him. But I have this feeling that I'm squinting because Noah bites back a laugh.
Beautiful bastard.
"I'm not drunk," I mutter. "Maybe a little… But not much!"
Noah smiles. "In thirty minutes, I've learned that you like to talk with yourself after having alcohol. Your imaginary friend is named Rosa, and I don't think you should take any more advice from her."
"But Rosa has so many good ideas! She told me to remove my bra when the first team scores and spin it around in the air!"
"And that's why Rosa isn't your faithful friend—you would be raped within seconds. People aren't as strong as you think they are, and you're gorgeous and pretty much free estate."
I'm having trouble following. "What did you just say?"
Noah snorts. "Just come with me. I will take you to a front-row seat. And if you stay in that place, I will take you out for dinner after the game; how does that sound, beautiful?"
I gawk at him. "A date?"
WITH HIM?!
Model is asking me out?
Noah's lips curl into an inviting smile, and he bends down to whisper into my ear in a seductive voice. "Or a night of no strings attached? I'm all game for anything. I think you're charming."
I repeatedly blink until my lips slowly spread into a smile. "I like that idea a lot! For an entire night, I could touch you anywhere I wanted. And I wouldn't know where to start!"
There is a chuckle. "You're cute—come with me before someone throws you over their shoulder and kidnaps you."
"But what if you're the kidnapper?"
"That's a possibility..."
"Meh!" I shrug. "Somehow, I wouldn't mind…"
Noah cracks up and takes my hand. I feel like a kindergartener again, especially since Noah is so tall. His hand is big and warm, squeezing mine while leading me away.
People surround us, but Noah is the only thing I can focus on. He has a broad back, and he is so huge that people move away from him as he is a predator in the middle of a herd of zebras.
Now and then, he glances down, making sure I'm still there. His expression is gentle, and I watch him duck to say something so I will hear it.
"Remember to stay in your seat. Your name is Natalie, right? We go to the same school. I've seen you a couple of times."
"Yes, Natalie Gracen," I beam up at him. "And you're Noah Parker."
He sighs heavily. "Gosh, remind me to give you water for the rest of the evening. You've had enough alcohol."
I pout at him. "You don't like me..."
"You're wrong. So far, I like you, Natalie, but I'm in a hurry, so we can't walk like snails anymore."
I shriek when Noah picks me up as if I weigh nothing. His massive arms wrap around me, and I blush. It's embarrassing even if I'm drunk!
People are staring at us, especially since I now realize Noah is wearing football player equipment and shit.
Why didn't I notice that before?
I'm so drunk.
Yet it doesn't stop my heart from pounding. Noah's eyes are so close to my face and also his lips. He smells like warm pears and cinnamon. I swoon in his arms, fighting the urge to inhale him.
"I'm half-convinced that this is a dream," I touch his shaven face with my finger, and he blinks at the touch. He doesn't pull away, though, which makes my heart flutter. "This is so unrealistic."
Noah flashes me a smile. "It will only get better from here—the evening isn't over yet."
"How could it possibly get better?"
"Hmm," Noah hums. "If my team wins the game, you owe me a kiss, and if you end up liking it, we will do the no strings attached thing."
"Sounds good." I wet my lips. "But you have to win first."
A dimple forms on his cheek. "Oh, I intend to win every possible way tonight—you better be prepared because you're taking me home tonight."