Page 32 of Just for the Cameras
She is not in her zoo uniform, and my eyes trail up her short legs, which are encased in a pair of yoga pants that flare toward her ankles. Looking at her side profile, my eyes land on her round, pert ass before trailing up to the tight white V-neck shirt that molds around her chest. Her hair is pulled back still, but instead of a tight ponytail, she’s let it hang loose in a clip in the back, a few tendrils of hair framing her face.
Jesus, she really is fucking beautiful.
This is going to make me sound like an ass, but given my status as an athlete, I’ve seen my fair share of beautiful women, many of them offering up whatever the hell I want. I’ve taken a few bites, but nothing has interested me…ever.
But there is something about Maple.
Something different.
Her features are soft while innocence radiates from her as she fidgets, looking nervous and unsure. But there is also a toughness to her, an underlying ability to stand up for herself or, better yet, the things she cares about.
And that’s attractive. So goddamn attractive that she catches my attention, a lot.
More than she should.
She catches my attention the minute I walk through those zoo gates and I find her attempting to plaster on a smile even though I know she can’t stand me. Even though…I make her cry.
Jesus Christ, seeing those watery eyes, it nearly broke me, though I maintained a calm, unfazed exterior. I don’t like upsetting her the way Idid, but there is just something inside me, something that can’t stop my mouth from saying hurtful things, something that keeps my expression emotionless.
Hell, who am I kidding, I know exactly what that something is. It’s the shield I have raised whenever I interact with anyone. Given my past, those shields have been firmly set, never to be lifted so I won’t ever get hurt again.
Instead, I just hurt innocent people like Maple.
Maple, who…who…Well, it doesn’t matter because I don’t have any goddamn interest in starting anything romantic with anyone.
I fuck when I need to expel leftover adrenaline, but that’s about it.
And I’m not about to fuck around with Maple, despite how attracted I am to her.
She’s not someone you screw and leave cold in bed. She hasrelationshipwritten all over her. She’s perfectly innocent and beautiful and doesn’t need an unruly asshole disrupting her life more than I already am.
I watch carefully as she accidentally bumps into Gretchen, apologizes, and then pauses as she recognizes her. They exchange pleasantries, Maple clearly trying to be kind while Gretchen is terse and all business.
Their personalities could not be more opposite…or their attire, for that matter.
They both order drinks, then continue to look around for me before Gretchen pulls out her phone and texts.
I glance down at my screen, looking at her message.
Gretchen:You here?
Graydon:Back left corner.
When she reads my response, she looks up at me. She rolls her eyes and points in my direction to Maple, who’s holding an iced tea.
I remain where I am as they approach.
“You could have said something,” Gretchen says as she takes a seat but does not get comfortable. No, she’s one high-heeled step away from ditching us, on to the next thing on her to-do list.
“Why are you in the shadows? That was creepy when you came into view.” Maple takes a seat, and a wave of lavender hits me all at once, her scent infiltrating my peaceful coffee aroma.
She must have taken a shower before meeting up with us because once again, she smells amazing. I don’t blame her—if I had to hang out with those birds all day, I’d do the same thing. Hell, I’m there for a few hours, and I feel the need to scrub myself raw.
“Don’t like to be recognized,” I answer as I lift my cup of coffee to my lips.
“Well, it’s weird.” Maple hangs her bag on the side of her chair and then crosses one leg over the other before taking a sip of her iced tea.
Gretchen looks between us, those cunning eyes attempting to understand the dynamic between me and Maple. She doesn’t need to think long and hard, as it’s clear we don’t get along.
