CHAPTER 8: Hot Distraction

Roxy's POV

Distraction—attempting to do one thing but completely captured by another. I hated distractions. Especially when I was trying to study. If there was a sudden fire and I had a book in my hand, I would surely be the last person to leave the building.

But here I was sprawled on the college football bleachers, trying to bury my head in the interview prep notes for the job Professor McLain had scored me and yet the rhythmic thud of footballs being kicked and thrown below was impossible to ignore. Every few second, I glanced up, my concentration breaking as I watched him.

Nicolas Burke—His sweaty, athletic bulk maneuvering through the field with a practiced grace.

“D*mn! He’s hot!” I nearly pinch myself once I realize I actually said those words out loud.

“I’m sorry Lucas.” I mouthed to myself, picturing his grimace in my head. I was practically eating his used to be best friend with my eyes and I felt all kinds of guilty.

Could you blame me though? Just look at him: intense moving with a grace that stirred my insides. His black jersey clung to him, showing off his well-defined muscles. I could see the sweat glistening on his tanned skin, and it took all my willpower to drag my eyes back to the interview prep booklet.

I tried to focus on the textbook open on my lap, but my eyes kept straying. His powerful movements and confident stance kept screaming my name. I watched, almost hypnotized as he pulled off his helmet, revealing his pitch-black hair, with curls that glistened under the light and a focused, almost feral look in his eyes. My heart skipped a beat as I let my gaze linger a little longer than I intended.

And as if him in his jersey was not distraction enough, he took off his shirt, revealing a sculpted physique that had me swallowing hard. I tried to refocus on my notes, but it was like trying to ignore a magnet pulling at me. My eyes wandered back to him again and again. I couldn’t help but let my eyes roam over his body.

Suddenly, he caught my gaze from the field. I felt a jolt, realizing I had been staring unabashedly, my cheeks caught on fire immediately. Before I could even react, he was running up the bleachers, his shirt now slung over his shoulder. I blinked, caught between embarrassment and exhilaration.

He approached, his confident stride bringing him right to where I sat. He plopped down beside me, his body radiating warmth and a casual, magnetic energy.

“Hi,” he said, grinning, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

“Hi,” I responded, fixing my eyes on my notes or at least trying to. D*mn! Even his sweaty scent was inviting.

“I hope I was not disappointing to watch.” He said, his voice carrying a tinge of humor, but I still hadn’t met his eyes. How could I? My cheeks were still burning.

Trying to regain composure, I took control of my voice. “I wouldn’t know, I was actually studying,” I sounded less convincing than I hoped I would, and I nearly kicked myself.

He let out a hushed chuckle. “Of course you were.” The sarcasm in his voice was rich.

Roxy the liar, he caught you, he caught you gawking at his sculpture not on your interview notes liar!

But what the hell? I was a tough nut to crack, and some college dude was not going to make me cower. Quarter back or not!

I take control of my nerves and finally look at him. “Why didn’t you tell me you were something of a national treasure?” My eyes gestured to the field.

Chuckling, his gaze steady on me. “I guess I just enjoyed the fact that you were not fawning over me. You actually didn’t give a d*mn about who I was. It was refreshing.”

My eyes strayed to his bracelet again. The customized jewelry I gave Lucas last year, for his birthday, the fleeting memory made my heart ache, but I quickly pushed it aside.

“I can’t believe he gave you that…. you know he told me that he had lost it.” His eyes followed mine to his wrist.

Noticing my stare, he tilted his head. “Okay fine, he didn’t actually give me. He lost a bet.”

My eyes narrowed with interest. “A bet?”

“Yup, he placed a bet that I was going to fall for a girl before the year ran out and he lost, I asked him to keep the bracelet, but he wanted to be a man of honor so, he gave me the bracelet.”

I felt a knot in my chest, the memories I had kept locked up trying to escape. “Yup, that’s Lucas, always the man of honor,”

“I can take it off if you want,” His eyes were so soft and considerate.

Shaking my head, my voice soft. “No, keep it on. It’s fine. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of Lucas’s honor.” I squeeze out a wry chuckle.

Smiling, his tone playful. “So, Roxette Benette, why would you prefer a noisy football pitch over a library?”

“Well, I find the quietness of the library…”

“—Strangely distracting” We finished the other half of my sentence together and then we laughed.

“Lucas.” He mumbled thoughtfully. “He saw the world so differently and he wanted to change it.” He heaved a heavy sigh, his eyes gloomy. “It’s just so sad he had to go so early.”

“He didn’t have to.” I muttered, more to myself than to him.

The way he looked at me, with that intense gaze and undeniable charm, was almost too much to handle. I bit on my bottom lip, suppressing whatever connection that was building.

“I think they are missing you down there.” I pointed towards the field of players.

He glanced quickly at the field, his smile turning apologetic. “Yeah, I’ve got to get back to the field. But I’m glad I caught you up here.” He stood. His charming smile dropping on me. “I hope you meant it when you said we could study together…... I promise I won’t be a pest.” He raised both hands, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I laughed, feeling a bit more at ease. “You have jokes.”

He laughed back. “Just keeping to your expectations Ms. Bennett.” He glanced back at the field again, his expression turning thoughtful. “Okay I should get back there, or the coach will have my head.”

I sighed, reluctantly meeting his eyes squarely. “Sure, and I’ll get back to my—” I waved the papers in my lap vaguely, “—trying to read and not get distracted.”

He chuckled. “Maybe if you get too distracted, you can just take a break and get down there so you can get a closer look.”

I smiled, feeling a tinge of allure. “As tempting as that sounds, I have to focus on this.” My revenge plotting. Making sure I score the job with Aaron West. “I have an interview tomorrow and I have to get the Job.”

“Work and school?” He screwed his eyes on him, an impressive smile forming at his lips.

“That’s the plan.” I chimed with a tweaked voice.

“You are like superwoman.” He said, a hint of humor lacing his voice.

I humor him. “Oh yeah, my wings only come out when it’s dark and the whole world is quiet.”

He laughs, and his sinking dimples appear. I realize just now that I actually really, really love them.

He stretched as he prepared to return to the field. “Okay superwoman, I’ll be down there. I’ll try not to be as much distraction as before.”

I spat a laughter. “Okay Mr. Burke. Please do your best.”

He laughed, before he jogged back to the field, I struggled to tear my eyes away.

Yes, he was a hot distraction for sure and he let it slip that he hadn’t fallen for any girl yet--

Focus, Roxy!

You’re not falling in love with anyone.

You’re not getting distracted by dimples or black curls or a body sculpted by the gods.

The only thing that matters is the interview with my Revenge Daddy tomorrow.

Aaron West—the man I came here to ruin--whose heart I must break to get my revenge.

And if I let my heart flutter now, I’ll lose the edge I need to win. So I clutch my notes tighter, press my lips into a line, and force my eyes off the field.

Let Nicolas Burke keep shining like a distraction-shaped sun. Because tomorrow, I walk into the lion’s den.

And someone’s going to burn.

I just have to make sure it isn’t me.