CHAPTER FOUR: THE PROPOSITION

CHAPTER FOUR: THE PROPOSITION 

MARCUS’ POV

I paced in my office. “Five more minutes,” I said, looking at the Rolex watch I had on my left arm. Today wasn't as chilly, the sun making a surprise visit.

Seraphina had come to practice today. She was dull like I expected and she avoided sitting or staying close to Dylan. I gave her a nod when our eyes met, showing my unwavering support.

“Okay,” I puffed up, adjusting my jacket collars, “Let's see if she is there.”

I walked out of my office building, the unofficial place where I gathered my team to train them and watch them keenly. The official training ground was for serious business, and because of how my office was opened to all my team members, I wouldn't have the privacy I wanted to have with her.

The walk to the training ground was short.

Students passed me, talking amongst themselves. I saw a group of girls huddle together, whispering and giggling, their eyes on me. I winked at them, making them all blush simultaneously.

It was good to know I still had charm, even though my ex wife didn't think so. 

We had married young, when I was high and willing to tackle the world. The older we got, I wanted to settle. She didn't.

I got to the training facility, noting the fact that no one was in front of it. The keys were always with me, except when we had two opposing teams use it and I gave it to a trusted coach.

Just as I brought the keys out from my pocket, a soft voice spoke behind me.

“Hi, Marcus.”

She called me my name. Not ‘coach’. 

“Seraphina,” I said, turning to look at her. 

She had changed, her blonde hair with pink tips were in a bun, the curly pieces falling and framing her face. She wore a crop top and a tennis skirt, her long legs exposed. 

“Did I keep you waiting?” She asked me, fiddling with the purse she strapped on her shoulder.

“Not at all. I just got here,” I said, juggling the keys in front of her. I opened the door, pushing it in.

“After you,” I said. 

She smiled briefly, her pink lips laced in gloss. Did she do that for me?

“Thank you,”

As she passed by, I inhaled her sweet vanilla perfume. She smelled like the sweetest cake you could ever have, with strawberry whipped cream.

I closed my eyes, inhaling it deeply. Seraphina was oblivious to my thoughts and actions.

Meanwhile, I was rock hard just from her scent.

I should not be attracted to my son's ex-girlfriend.

“It's been a while since I came here,” she said fondly, walking straight to the game console. The last time she was here, she beat 50 players to become the best in the university. I had never been so proud of a tenacious creature.

“You know,” Seraphina raised her head up, smiling at me, “We've never played a game before.”

“No, we hadn't,” I replied, locking the door and checking that it was locked. She watched me do that and said nothing, her breasts rising and falling even harder.

“We should, sometime,” Seraphina said, her voice so husky.

I walked up to her, with my hands in my pockets.

“Sit, Sera.”

I cursed in my head when she sat down and placed her head directly in line with my already hard cock. She licked her lips and looked up at me, nervous.

“You said you wanted to talk to me about my future here?” she questioned. I sat down next to her, watching her.

“Yeah. So, what's your plan after you win the championship?”

Sera stared at me. “I haven’t really thought about that,” she said, placing her bag on the ground. The top she had on had a low cut in the back, showing her skin and how sculpted her back was.

“Do you work out often?”

“Occasionally,” she said, straightening back up. “Honestly, Coach—” I raised a brow at her. “Sorry, Marcus. I just wanted to do something with my life, you know. Become the state champion.”

I nodded, understanding the drive. “You could go really far, you know,” I mused. “You could be an international star.”

Seraphina burst out in laughter. “What a hoot,” she said, wiping tears from her face. I allowed her to finish, watching her white teeth disappear when she registered my composure.

“You’re serious?” she whispered.

“Yes, I am. Which is why I brought you here to discuss your future.”

Her eyes widened, all nervous energy gone. “I'm listening.”

“You have to become captain of the team,” I said vaguely.

“Oh, no. I can't do that. Dylan would—”

“Understand that I am the coach and it's really not his concern,” I interrupted her. “If you want to compete on a greater level, you have to become captain of the team. That’s when I can vouch to the school about your seriousness. If you engage in some extracurricular activities, the school would be willing to sponsor you.”

“Really?”

I nodded. “I’ve already checked your grades. Very impressive, by the way.” She blushed. “It would be a good point.”

“So, when do you plan to do this?” Seraphina asked.

“After you win the championship. I’ll put it to a vote. I know a lot of your teammates already look up to you,” I shrugged.

Seraphina threw herself at me, hugging me. She shifted back shyly. “Thank you, Marcus. I don’t really have anyone, and it’s so hard,” she struggled to get that out.

“Even after school, I had no idea what I would do. No plans for now,” she chuckled nervously. “Just gaming.”

I knew her mother was dead. “Your father?”

“Never knew him. I don’t really care about him. I just wanted to come to Blackwood, you know. Okay games, maybe win the championship.” She looked up at me. “It seemed I didn’t dream big enough.”

I dragged her towards me, holding her hands. “Well, now you have me. I know I’ve always been your coach, but you also have Marcus, a friend.”

“I wanted to leave yesterday, you know,” she told me. “I had started looking up other programs,” she said, looking away.

I already knew that, so I just turned her face back to me. “It’s a thing of the past now,” I whispered, noticing her hitched breath.

“Marcus.” Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes fixated on my face. I pulled her closer to me, staring into her eyes that were so clear, like a mirror. I could get lost in them.

When my lips finally reached Seraphina’s own, she let out the softest gasp, helping me to deepen it. She whimpered slightly and kissed me back. Her lips were so soft, and they tasted like strawberries.

As soon as it started, she jumped away from me.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, grabbing her bag and standing up. “I need to leave.” She didn’t wait, rushing past me.

“Seraphina,” I called her, but she didn’t turn back, her back rigid while I could clearly see her whole body vibrating.

As I stood in the room alone, I wondered if I imagined her kissing me back.

“I hope I didn’t just fuck this shit up,” I sighed, leaving after her.