ai; overwhelming, undefined, inside outside lose my mind

ai; overwhelming, undefined, inside outside lose my mind by ssaarah

 “You’re late!” Colbie yelled on the phone as I pulled up to park.

“I know I know I was caught up at work. Is Will there?” I heard the phone jumble before my nephew’s voice came over it.

“Aunt Lila I thought you were coming to my practice!” I smiled.

“I'm almost there buddy, give me 5 minutes.” I looked down at my heels and winced, too bad I didn’t have time to change.

“I'm here I'm here!” I saw my sister eyeing me.

“You wear that to work?” she asked with her brow raised. I looked down at my black halter jumpsuit.

“I wore a blazer over it.” I replied. She just smirked and shook her head.

“It’s amazing that you’re still single, dressing like that at a company full of rich men.” I scoffed.

“This is nothing.” I replied before trying to walk and tripping over something that got caught in my heel. I braced myself, fully expecting to hit the ground but instead something hard and warm caught me.

“That’s why people usually wear sneakers here.” A deep voice told me as he lifted me back up to my feet. I blinked back at the solid mass of 100% pure alpha male and smiled.

“I’ve always been a little different from most people.” I replied, hoping I wasn’t blushing.

“Do you fall on your ass a lot then?” he replied, no smile on his face but the hint of one in his eyes. He looked really familiar….

“Nice reflexes coach.” My sister said, biting her lip and grinning at the guy like a moron. Oh. This was Will’s rugby coach. And the reason Colbie kept going to his practices instead of just dropping them off like a normal parent. Ever since her loser ex-husband ran off with his secretary….yeah it was that cliché, she’d been a workaholic. It was nice to see her taking a break and spending time with her son, even if part of the reason was to drool over the coach.

“Thanks Colbie."  He winked at her before apparently realizing he was still holding onto my body.

"Did you get lost?" he asked pointedly to me. I opened my mouth to speak but before I could Will cut me off.

“She's my aunt! She came to watch me practice." The man raised one eyebrow at him, setting his hands on his hips and squaring his impossibly broad shoulders,

"Really? Because you're doing nothing now." Will looked like he was about to argue but instead he shrugged and ran back to the field where the other boys were warming up.  

"Are you always so mean to your guys coach?" I girl broke the silence while Colbie just smiled at him like an idiot. She turned to me and smirked, crossing his arms over her again…impossibly broad chest.

"No, sometimes I'm even worse." He said with a shrug

“Damn.” I licked my lips and watched his eyes flick to my mouth quickly before darting back to the field.

“Try to stay upright from now on.” He replied before turning to shout some orders at the kids. It was bizarre, the words sounded like he was flirting, but the way he said it was opposite. Not that I wanted to be flirted with, I’d just never met anyone so….contradictory.

“Ugh.” Colbie said, tilting her head as she watched him working with the kids and we sat down on the bleachers. “Look at him.”

“He’s hot.” I agreed, pulling out my phone and sending a few quick texts to my intern.

“Hot? Just hot?” she asked raising her brow. “Tell me you wouldn’t do whatever he wanted.” I scoffed.

“No way. He’s too good looking.” Colbie’s brow raised at me.

“Too good looking? Is that a problem?” I smirked. She’d been single for all of a year and she still hadn’t gotten what dating was like. She had been with her ex since they were in high school.

“Big problem. Guys that hot are never monogamous and they suck at foreplay because they can get any girl. He probably doesn’t even know where the clitoris is.”

“LILA!” she shouted, her eyes wide as she looked around to see if anyone had heard me. I rolled my eyes.

“Calm down sis.” I winked and grabbed my bag. “I have to go to the restroom I’ll be back.” I walked over to the parks bathrooms and looked in the mirror, pulling my hair up since it was so hot, I reapplied some lip balm and then walked out….and straight into Mr. Too Good Looking all over again.

“Okay this time it has to be your fault.” I joked, pulling my bag back onto my shoulder as I grinned at him. He gave me a small smile.

“Nope. Still yours.” I made an effort of dramatically sighing and shrugged.

“Well then I guess I'm a klutz.” He rose a brow.

“Or maybe you just like running into me.” Again, no inflection, no sparkle in his eye or any trace of the cocky asshole smirk most men used when they were being clever. Who was this guy?

“I don’t mind it.” I admitted, licking my lips and feeling….I don’t know. I felt…young. Naïve even. Something about him emanated power and control and it was almost frightening. His hands left my body then and he looked at me.

"I thought you came here to watch Will." I chuckled again, giving the guy a shrug as I pushed my hair out of my face.

"That was the excuse." I joked.

"Was the bathroom too?" he joked back, and I wondered if we were bordering on flirting. Not that I was against that.

"For what I know you could have been following me." Definitely flirting. At least I was.

"I hate to disappoint you but I was going to get some cold packs.” I blinked as he showed me and I felt myself frowning.

"Did someone get hurt?" It had barely started….I knew rugby had been a bad idea. Of all the damn sports Will could choose.

"Yes." He groaned, planting my fist into the pack to activate it and making me jump from the force.

"Rugby can be a dangerous game." I sighed, wondering why Colbie agreed to it in the first place. Maybe the flier had a picture of him shirtless.

"Robert got into a fight with Will and punched him." He said instead with a tone of severe frustration as I felt my mouth drop. How long had I been in the bathroom?!

 "What?! That little jerk, I thought they were friends! I never liked Robert that much." I snorted.

"Yeah my nephew is hard to handle sometimes." he said nonchalantly. I rose a brow at him, the decent part of me wanting to apologize for insulting his family, but the other part, the bad part of me that he seemed to so annoyingly bring out…didn’t care. I meant what I said.

“Apparently.” He took a second to study me before turning. “What exactly were they fighting about?!” I asked, and I watched a side of his mouth twitch upward and I was suddenly extremely aware of every part of my body. Damn he was sexy.

                       

“Rob told Will his aunt was even hotter than his mom.” I widened my eyes and blinked. First of all, it wasn’t true. My sister possessed an innate beauty that was nothing like the rest of us, even though my brothers were all extremely handsome and knew  it.  I was the odd one, my looks and style changing as easily as my change of mood.

“Aren’t they a little young to be saying those kind of things?” I asked seriously. He shrugged.

“You didn’t like boys when you were 12?” he asked, making a good point but not wanting to give him the satisfaction.

“How do you know I like boys now?” I asked, trying to resist the urge to stare at his broad shoulders. God I wanted to sculpt him, but there was no way I could ever translate the power he emanated into my clay. I was nowhere near skilled enough for that.  I saw a hint of a grin again but when some boy started screaming his bad mood returned and he cursed under his breath.

“That’s it! If you can’t learn to play the game and not kick each others asses? You won’t play at all. Practice is over.”

“But-“ Will exclaimed, and although I was upset at him for fighting I was a little proud that it was for my honor.

“No buts. Locker rooms. Now.” he ordered and there was no other argument. They all groaned in disappointment and I realized how much they must love playing, though I’d never understand it. I was a swimmer in high school. Independent and very little chance of getting hurt. Just the way I liked it.

“So you’re the one who taught Will the word ass.” I commented idly, almost talking to myself. “And Colbie blamed me.”

"Ass just is just a part of the body." He said flatly.

"There are more proper ways to call it." Not that I would.

"Whatever they call it isn't any of my business, most of bad words they learn at school." he pointed out, "Or home."

"Are you trying to tell me something?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest and looking at him pointedly, still trying to decide if he was just humoring me, or hitting on me.

“I was just saying, no offence there. I didn't say anything when you called my own blood a jerk." He replied with a smile and I at least had the decency to feel bad. After all if someone had called Will a jerk? I would have probably punched him.

"Sorry." I said eventually, "I guess." I added….because I honestly stood by my opinion.

"You guess." He repeated, but he was still grinning, seeming amused by me at the least. When I didn’t say anything I watched him looking over me again and I blinked.

 "What?" I asked, feeling that out of body experience again.

"Nothing, I'm wondering what a girl like you could like since sports don't look like your thing."

“I didn’t say I didn’t like sports.” I replied, blinking back at him.

“I just assumed by the look on your face as we spoke of rugby.” As we spoke of rugby? It was insane, his look was a little on the rough side but he spoke like he ruled an empire with the flick of his hand.

“You assumed huh?” I replied, annunciated the first three letters of the word. “Well now who’s the ass?” he mouth quirked upward again. I liked when that happened. He looked less godlike and much more human. The words my sister had said flew through my mind but this time? I doubted whether I’d be so quick to answer no. I might do whatever he wanted…..I wondered just what what he wanted was.

“Clever.” He said finally.

“I'm not big on team sports.” I explained, focusing on a topic that was completely unisexual.

“Not a team player?” he asked, shooting me a quizzical look as I shrugged.

“A loner and a klutz. I'm just a mess aren’t I?” He didn’t say anything but instead reached forward to me. His fingers tangled in my hair and just as abruptly pulled back even though the contact shot lightening through me. It wasn’t the first time he’d touched me. But it was the first time it had been voluntary. I let out the breath I didn’t know I’d been holding as he showed me the leaf in his hand.

“Damn wind.” I just nodded slowly.

“Mhmm.”

"Are you okay? Did you swallow your tongue all of a sudden?"

"Do you do that for a living?" I asked after the dramatic eye roll at his words.

"What? Save girls from leaves? No." he shook his head, the amused look still plastered on his handsome face.

"I meant this." I replied, motioning at the field and taking a break from his intense gaze. "Rugby." The man tensed a little, his entire body tightening as I said it but I don’t know if anyone else would notice. At least not anyone who wasn’t used to studying the body as much as I had.  Sculpters curse.

“No, I just do it for fun." He answered in a distinct monotone, that didn’t sound like fun at all.

"Do you like yelling at kids?" I teased as his eyes finally moved away from mine to give me another break. Having him look at you was intense.

"That's the best part." He replied, moving his eyes back to mine again.

"I thought that was winning."

"But if they don't win I get to yell more." I laughed, his jokes strange since he said them with no inflection, like he couldn’t care less about anything, but I knew he did instead because no one volunteered to play sports with pre-teens without loving it.

"No wonder why your nephew likes starting fights."

"Yeah being a j.erk must run in the family, if that's what you mean." He ran a hand through his longish hair and I couldn’t’ help but wonder what it would be like to do the same. He was totally not my type. Raw and hard with light hair and eyes that were too hard to look into for too long. I preferred men who looked dark but acted light while he was almost the opposite. Except besides his light hair there was nothing light about him….

“I didn’t say that.” I said softly, almost questioningly because even though he came off tough, he didn’t seem awful. At least not from my first impression.

“No?”

“What do you do then?” he blinked at me and I wondered if he thought I was coming on to him or he just wasn’t used to strangers talking to him for so long. But there was something about him, so intriguing. I just wanted to keep him around me if only for the rush his sense of power gave me. God that made me sound lame.

“I work in finance.” I did a double take.

“Like…money?” I questioned, making a face.

“Like money. Yes.” I shook my head and laughed.

“Sorry I just have a hard time imagining you in a suit.” I replied, the shorts and tee shirt fit him so well I had assumed he was maybe a Physical Ed. Teacher at the least.

“I assure you I pull it off.” He gave me a grin and I took a deep breath. I didn’t doubt it. I imagined it for a second and the juxtaposition of a sharp suit with his almost rugged features? The more I looked at him the more I was sure it shouldn’t be allowed to be so attractive.

“I don’t doubt that….I’m just saying you seem in your element…”

“And you seem out of yours.” He commented, his eyes roaming over my body and making me feel….out of it. It wasn’t a leer like I was used to if I was getting checked out. It was as if he was studying me…..though I still felt hot all over.

“I came right from work.” I replied. “I assure you I pull off athletic wear fine myself.” I smirked, teasing him with his own words.

"I don't doubt that." He said quickly, making me like him more as the time went on. "What's your work?"

"I'm an artist." I replied proudly, always happy to talk about my job and my hobbies since they were one and the same.

"Don't artists go around with paint brushes in their hair, a pencil behind the ear and their clothes full of color stains?" he teased and although sometimes that was true of me? I managed to act offended.

"There are many types of artists." I said dryly.

"I'm ready to go." A voice said flatly, making me look down and see Robert who was pouting furiously as he kicked the grass.

"Then go." I watched his uncle as he glared at him and Roberts hands rolled into fists by his side as he narrowed his eyes.

"I need a ride back home, you know that."

"You'll walk instead and maybe next time you'll think twice before punching someone else." He glared at him.

"You're not my dad." He snapped.

"Oh yeah, lucky you. When he'll know? You'll need to run, not to walk." The kid groaned and then stomped off, realizing he had no argument. I realized just how happy I was to not have kids at the same time I hoped that his house was close by, "Sorry about that."

"Poor kid." I said as I glanced over his shoulder, shaking my head as he kicked a tree on his way out of the park. "You can be pretty scary, you know that?"

"Do you want to go get a drink?" he asked, his words completely ignoring mine and shocking me since I still hadn’t even decided if he liked me. I blinked.

"Like...now?"

“Don't worry, I'll get changed into decent clothes." He smirked and it was then that I noticed a hint of heat in his eyes. Just that spark made me feel naked and I swallowed thickly.

“Do you even know my name?” I asked with a grin, flattered but a little taken aback.

“Lila! We’re going home!” Will shouted from the other side of the park.

“I do now.” I heard his deep voice reply with amusement. I waved to Will and Colbie gave me a distinct look before walking up to me.

“Sorry you came for nothing.” She winced and I shrugged.

“It’s never nothing when I get to see you guys.” I said honestly. “I'm gonna go get a drink with-“ I paused and realized I didn’t know his name either. I looked back at him and he was grinning.

“Travis.” I blinked, his name hitting me like a ton of bricks for some reason. It fit him perfectly.

“Right.” I grinned. Colbie gave me a tight smile and pulled me aside while Will started speaking to him. 

“No way.” I blinked at my sister.

“Because you’re jealous?” I asked, teasing her and she groaned.

“No he’s too young for me anyways and besides that? He’s not actually datable, he’s just nice to look at.”

“Good thing I’ll be continuing to look at him then.” I grinned. Colbie glared at me.

“Don’t sleep with him.” I made a point of rolling my eyes.

“Don’t worry sis, I'm not the one who hasn’t gotten laid in a year.” I tried not to smirk as she pouted and I walked back over to him.

“But if you do you have to give me all the details. Like all of them. Specifics!!” she whisper yelled at my back before grabbing Will as I tried not to laugh.

“Everything okay?” I nodded.

“Did you drive?” He shook his head and I reached into my bag to grab my keys.

“Don’t worry, there’s a place just on the other side of the park, we’ll walk….if you think you can keep on your heels for that long.” I felt a slight blush on my cheeks and nodded.

“I think I’ll survive.”

 

"If you feel like you can't do it, just let yourself fall and I'll catch you." He grinned and set his hands in his shorts, looking relaxed and apparently forgetting that he’d said he was going to change.

"Don't tempt me now." I said seriously, since the idea of his strong hands on me again was inviting.

"Nothing bad about temptation." He said casually, apparently not realizing that just the word temptation rolling off his lips was enough to make me warm.

"Do you know much about temptation?" I asked, turning to him, looking right into those intense eyes and for a second all I could think of was sex. No that wasn’t even a harsh enough word for it…..it was like I had a premonition of how overwhelming it would be to go to bed with him.

"I'm all about temptation." He answered seriously, breaking eye contact as a few guys walked out of the bar.  

"Oh? Like...how?"

"I always give in to temptation." He answered, saying the word yet again before winking at me, opening the door and letting me go first. I took a deep breath and looked around.

“Counter?" I suggested, since there wasn't even a free table.

"Sure, wherever you want." he said with a wide smrik, setting his hand on the small of my back, leading me to two stools. He motioned to the bartender who seemed to know him, and they spoke a few moments about sports before he turned to me.

“This is Lila, Lila, this is Hal he owns the bar.” I held out my hand and smiled at him. He was looking at me with a smirk, though it was almost pitying in some way.

“It’s good to meet you.” He smirked wider and nodded towards Travis. “Your usual?” he nodded before looking at me.

“Whiskey. Neat.” I replied seriously, hanging my bag over my chair as the bartender grinned at me.

“I like her already.” He grinned and Travis looked at me as if I’d just thrown him a curveball. I shrugged.

“I have five brothers, we didn’t ever really get into girly drinks.” I admitted, knowing probably what both men were thinking.

“Five?” Travis rose a brow and I nodded, not wanting to get into that really because sometimes my family could be a little intimidating. Especially to men who wanted to date me. Hal slid me my drink and Travis a beer bottle with a brand I didn’t recognize and then went off to the other side to flirt with some girls.

“Why is the owner bartending?” I asked curiously as I tilted my head to the side. Travis laughed, a deep laugh that was so damn sexy I had to cross my legs and squeeze them together.

“Girls like bartenders.” He said simply and I shook my head. The things men did to get laid.

“Do girls like rugby coaches who are really financiers?” I asked, sipping my drink and letting the warm feeling go through my body, loving to enjoy all sensations. Travis licked his lips.

“You tell me.” I set my elbow on the counter to lean my head against it.

“I don’t think it would matter what you did coach.” I said honestly.

"Because girls like coaches instead?" Travis grinned, keeping his eyes locked on mine as he took a swig from his beer, effortlessly sexy.  

“What do I know, I'm just an artist.” I shrugged, fingering my glass as I looked back.

"What about you, artist?" he adjusted his stool, getting a few inches closer to me as he did. It was a tad overwhelming and I grabbed my glass to sip it.

"All I can say is that you'd make a good statue." I said seriously. He rose an eyebrow, seeming interested but confused. I admit it was probably a strange thing to say but it was honest just the same.

"Is that what you'll do tonight? Turn me into a statue?" he teased and a vision of him posing for me popped into my head. I felt warm all over.

"Nope. I don't think I could remember all the details I'd need." He grinned.

"I could help you with that." He said it quietly, but when I looked into his eyes they were filled with heat. It was a come on, no doubts, but different then I’d ever been propositioned that was for sure.

"Are you serious?" he shrugged.

"I would if you were."

“You weren’t kidding.” I commented, taking another drink as he gave me a questioning look.

“About what?” I licked my lips slowly, now understanding that he was more than interesting and enjoying the way his eyes floated to follow my tongue.

“Temptation.” I replied crossing my legs the opposite way as I swiveled my chair towards him. God he smelled good. Clean but hard. He gave me a wide grin and nodded.

“You’re right I wasn’t.” he ran his hands through his hair again as if he knew how bad I wanted to do the same. “I live upstairs.” He added almost as an afterthought. I blinked, wondering how many other women had gotten the same treatment, not that it really mattered since his focus seemed to be on me, but I finished stopped having one night stands my junior year of college.

“Then you can have another drink.” I smiled, reaching into my bag to grab something. “I have to drive home.” He blinked, an unreadable expression on his sculpted face before nodded.

“Maybe next time.” I nodded and handed him my Apple business card.

“Call me.” I grinned and felt him watching me as I left.  Honestly? I felt him everywhere….and he wasn’t even touching me.