Chapter Nine

Osten sat inside the black Escalade as CJ drove them to the game. She had on a pair of blue jeans and a sweatshirt with the school’s mascot on it. In the back seat she had a thick coat and gloves for later on in the night. Her thick hair was free and fell around her shoulders.

While he gazed at her, CJ watched the road and tried to pretend that she hadn’t noticed the way he looked as he walked into her apartment. He wore a pair of black jeans that should have been deemed illegal the way they cupped his lower body. He had a Navy sweatshirt on that was gray with black lettering. A black leather jacket lay in the back next to hers.

Pulling into the school’s lot, CJ parked a short distance away from the stadium’s entrance. Parking spaces were rapidly filling up. They got out together and Osten waited while she grabbed her jacket and slid it on, hiding her full chest from his searching gaze. As she locked the vehicle, he put his jacket on.

Together they walked to the gate and CJ waved at the teacher standing there. Then they proceeded on to the bleachers where CJ stopped to chit and chat with many adults and students. It was apparent she was a very well-loved teacher.

As they climbed up to their seats, CJ stumbled. Osten’s strong hand was there to make sure she didn’t fall. “Are you okay?” he asked in her ear.

“Yes, I’m fine. Embarrassed, but okay. I have climbed these so many times, I shouldn’t be tripping.” CJ loved how protected she felt with his hand on her elbow.

“Just so you are okay.” Osten reluctantly released her arm and sat down beside her after she chose a spot.

“I am,” she reassured him.

“Well, I could kiss it if you think that will help,” he teased softly as the crowd began cheering for the home team as it took the field.

CJ trembled. What a wicked thought that gave her. “I’m okay, really.” She shoved him playfully with her shoulder. “It may hurt later, though.”

The look he sent her banished each and every chill she had on this cold evening. It was full of promise and a primal hunger that should have scared her. “I’ll make sure to kiss away all your pains,” he vowed.

They focused on the game, yet were constantly and most assuredly aware of each other throughout the night. Osten bought her a hot dog and some hot chocolate at halftime. CJ was having a ball; while she loved football, tonight’s game was extra special and she knew it was because of the man with her.

Her school’s team the Raiders won in the last two minutes of the game. CJ was hoarse from yelling and cheering on her boys. Osten got into the game right beside her and was shouting just as much as she.

They stayed in their seats while everyone else headed out. When the crowd had thinned considerably, Osten stood and offered his hand to CJ. Together they walked down the bleachers and headed to where she had parked her SUV.

At the gates, Marvin stepped in front of them. “Evening, CJ,” he said. His dark eyes moved over Osten and he frowned. “Mr. Scoleri,” Marvin added almost like an afterthought.

CJ smiled, her arm hooked through Osten’s. “Evening, Marvin. It was a great game, wasn’t it?”

“It was,” he conceded. “I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”

CJ halted for a moment. “I’m not. I know Osten through mutual friends who got married recently and he agreed to come to the game with me, but we aren’t dating.” Her head cocked to the side as she played close attention to the Phys Ed coach.

Beside her, Osten tensed. He hated the words that had just come out of her mouth. However, he did notice how Marvin relaxed a bit at the news.

“I see,” Marvin said. “Well, I’ll see you on Monday. I have to get going. Goodnight.” He walked off without waiting for any response.

CJ began heading towards her vehicle when a hand grabbed hold of her. Osten spun her back toward him. She cocked an eyebrow at his action. “What?”

“What’s so wrong with me?” he demanded. His pride had been tweaked, and while he didn’t need to be overly arrogant, he was still a proud man.

“What are you talking about? There is nothing wrong with you.”

“But I am not good enough to be dating?”

Frowning, CJ just stared at him.

Osten held her gaze and raised a thick eyebrow. The longer she remained silent the more he wanted to show her just how good they were together. “Well?” he prompted, sounding downright surly.

Now CJ smiled at him. Not a coy or cutesy smile, but one that was gentle and full of understanding. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

Mindless of the fact they were standing on school property, Osten gathered her body close to his. He didn’t speak, just cupped her heart-shaped face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers.

The shockwave passed through them both instantly brought a heat that belied the late fall conditions. CJ slid her hands inside his leather jacket to rest upon his lean sides, fingers scrunching his sweatshirt.

His thick tongue swept through her mouth. He tasted mint and chocolate. Osten’s body reacted almost painfully to her nearness and touch.

CJ trembled, her body weak with desire. There tongues danced with one another as his callused hands cradled her cheeks, his fingers moving slightly in her hair. Dear God, this man is deadly!

Slowly and reluctantly, Osten drew away from her tempting and lush mouth and stepped back. His dark brown eyes swirled with barely controlled passion. “No offense taken, because if I really didn’t mean anything, there wouldn’t be sparks like that between us.” He spoke in a deep voice that simmered with assuredness and sensuality. In the hushed lighting of the parking lot, Osten reached out and rubbed his thumb over her kiss-swollen lips.

Loud whistles broke the sexual tension between them. Both adults looked toward the entrance to the locker rooms and saw six of the football team’s starting offensive line watching with smirks on their faces. Mikhail was in the middle.

“Way to go, Ms. J!” the young black man hollered, hefting his duffle bag in a silent salute.

“Oh, shit,” she groaned. “All those boys are in my classes. I’m never going to hear the end of it.”

Osten preened, clearly loving it. “Maybe they’ll spread it around. And Marvin will stop drooling over you.”

Shoving him in the chest, CJ shushed him. “That’s not helpful.”

At least he gave her the satisfaction of a grunt. “Best I could do,” he teased.

“Great game, guys,” Chantoya yelled back as she swallowed down her embarrassment and headed to-wards the six students.

With a smile, Osten spun on his heel and followed the woman who enamored him. His eyes took in her gently swaying hips as she moved in front of him. Unconsciously he shifted his full erection so it didn’t feel so uncomfortable in his jeans.