Ignoring his fellow teammates' heckling as they‟d tried to intimidate her from joining the game, he‟d settled down to play the sport he loved. He had been doing a good job of treating her like one of the guys until she took off the hooded jacket. The sweet curves that were revealed had done a number on him.
Her breasts were high and firm, and it hadn‟t looked like she was wearing a bra under the fitted, dark blue T-shirt. If she was, it hadn‟t done much to hide her peaked nipples. And when she bent over, the curve of her ass had made him want to take a bite out of it. She had a sistah booty. Not too big but high, tight, and definitely prominent enough to make a man sit up and take notice.
He‟d had a hard time keeping his head in the game after that. He was too caught up in watching her move. They‟d already realized she was quick on her feet, but she was also graceful like a gazelle, with the ability to slip through their fingers like water. A pure pleasure to watch. Her pecan brown complexion, coupled with dark brown eyes with a hint of gold, had drawn his gaze again and again. Long microplaits of what looked to be her real hair and not weave had fallen in a wave down her back, making him want to tangle his fingers in it as he drew her to him for a kiss.
He‟d never been so enthralled by a woman.
Then came the last play of the day when he‟d unexpectedly tackled her hard.
He‟d fully expected her to dodge him as she‟d done any of the other guys who‟d gotten in range, so he hadn‟t held back. He didn‟t know who was more surprised when they‟d bounced off the ground before settling in a tangle of arms and legs—her or him. Immediately he‟d become concerned he‟d hurt her.
He should have known better. Despite her delicate looks, she was tough. When she‟d left the game soon after, he‟d followed and asked her out, unable to help himself. She‟d shot him down. At first he‟d been shocked.
At twenty-eight, he was older than most full-time college students. His time in the military had given him an air of competency and maturity that a lot of other college guys lacked, as well as a buff, muscular physique he‟d kept up even after his discharge. He didn‟t have a problem gaining female companionship, and he was attractive enough that women sought him out. But this one, she‟d said no. No explanations, no qualifications, just no.
He‟d pushed until she gave him some lame excuse about focusing on her education, but the look she‟d given him… She‟d wanted him, and the feeling had been mutual. He determined then and there he‟d have her.
It turned out to be easier said than done. She‟d avoided him at every turn.
Refused every invitation. Wouldn‟t tell him where she lived or give him her phone number. If he showed up at some place where she was, she‟d leave soon after.
Carol hadn‟t been playing hard to get. She really wasn‟t interested in a relationship with him or any other guy. Mark knew because he‟d asked around. She hadn‟t dated anyone in the three, almost four years she‟d been on campus. He should have left it alone. Left her alone, but he couldn‟t. It was as though he was being driven to pursue and possess her. He couldn‟t understand—not then—why he‟d wanted her in a way he‟d never wanted another female. Now he knew it had been the mating fever at work.
It had made him crazy. He‟d had a hard time concentrating on his studies.
Finally he‟d cornered her…
“Look, I don‟t understand what it is about you that has me acting like a crazed stalker. I‟ll make you a deal. Have a cup of coffee with me in the student lounge.
Just one. Spend a few minutes getting to know me, and if, at the end of that time, you still aren‟t interested, I‟ll leave you alone.” Her gaze was uncertain. “You promise?”
By this point, he was beyond ego. It had been a little over six weeks since their first meeting, and his attraction to her was getting worse, not better. Maybe if he could convince himself she wasn‟t feeling it too, he could have left it alone. But every time he caught her off guard, when she didn‟t think he was looking, he could see a matching hunger in her eyes. “Yes, I promise.” God help him to keep it because he was at the point where he didn‟t think even a restraining order could make him leave her alone.
“Okay.” Though she agreed, she still sounded hesitant.
Before she could change her mind, he grabbed her arm and towed her with him to the nearest student lounge. He purchased two cups of coffee and guided Carol to a corner table in the back, where they‟d have a bit of privacy.
“So what are you studying?” he asked.
“Right now I‟m in the nursing program to be an RN. I‟m considering whether I want to continue my studies and become a nurse-practitioner.”
“What‟s the difference?”
“An NP can do more. What about you?”
“I‟m in pharmacy school with a minor in business management. Eventually I‟d like to own my own pharmacy.”
“Really? How‟d you get involved with that?”
“I‟ve always liked medicine and studying sicknesses and diseases but didn‟t want to be a doctor. This was the next best thing. What about you?”
“My pa—town is small and always in need of trained medical staff. I wanted to help out, and fortunately for me, I‟ve always had a fascination with medicine and a desire to help people,” she explained.
“Where are you from?” he asked.
“A small town a few hours from here, up in the mountains. I doubt you‟ve heard of it. What about you?”
He took a sip of coffee before responding. “Originally from Philly. My last duty station was here in North Carolina, and I stayed to attend school.”
“You were in the military?” she asked.
“Army. Eight years altogether.”
Carol played with the empty sugar packets on the table. “You didn‟t want to go back and be with your family?”
“Nah. With the gangs and stuff, Mom was glad to see me go, make something of myself. She was scared if I returned I‟d fall back in with the same do-nothing crowd. Since it was always a possibility, I heeded her advice and came here instead.
I take it after you get your degree, you‟re going back home to your family?” She gazed over his shoulder, her eyes unfocused and a little sad. “My parents died in a car accident when I was nine. There is no other family that I know of. I was raised by my court-appointed guardians.”
“That‟s sad.” He reached out and touched her hand where it lay on the table, sorry he‟d brought up the subject. He could tell their deaths still bothered her.
Carol‟s gaze met his. “Yeah, but I was lucky. They treat me like one of their own, even after I was such a horrible pain in the ass to them.”
“I‟m sure they understood that you were grieving.” She shook her head. “Back then I was angry at the world.”
“So you were an only child?”
“The only child of my parents, yes. My guardians have a son who‟s older than me.” She burst out laughing. “I made Alex‟s life hell. He gave as good as he got, though.”
He smiled. “Sounds like you two are close.”
“Now we are. Back then…?” She snickered, shaking her head.
Mark laughed with her, understanding completely what she meant. He was the oldest of three boys and knew what a pain younger siblings could be. The conversation flowed easily between them, bouncing from topic to topic. Before they knew it, it was evening and the student lounge was preparing to close.
“It‟s getting late,” Carol said. “We‟d better go.”
“I‟ll walk you to your car.” He scooped up their empty cups and packets and threw them in the trashcan.
“There‟s no need—”
“I‟m walking you to your vehicle. It‟s late and dark. This isn‟t optional.”