Scored in Love (Wattys2015)

~15~ winner takes all

That warm laughter fills the room. I try to prevent the corners of my mouth raising into a smile. The light dances off his brown eyes. 

“I’ve been called worse things, Van Hoff…” He has a faraway look in his eyes as he remembers something. 

“I can only imagine…” I lay down my last card, distracted by his sexy smile. It feels d@mn good to have it directed at me. I’d rather have a smile than a scowl any day.

Navarro allows his eyes to wonder down my face. It’s like a caress. Smooth as the ocean. 

What’s he thinking? Does he even like me? Or is it just my imagination playing tricks on me…

Navarro looks over my face thoughtfully. I don’t fail to miss the way his eyes momentarily fall on my lips. His face moves closer to mine. Each strand of his brown hair is perfectly visible to me. I’d like to run my hands through his hair. I’d like to bury my lips in the crook of his neck. I’d like to own him. But, of course, that’s impossible…

My fingers are itching to  grab his face and brutally snog the life out of him. I tilt my head up expectantly.

Just kiss me!

He allows his hand to reach out toward my mouth. The pad of his thumb explores the outline of my lips. His skin is warm and dry — very pleasant. I’m strangely aroused. 

What’s he doing? Well, as long as I get my kiss…

I close my eyes and prepare for the kiss. Although, I can’t help my lids flickering open. His lush lips travel towards mine. 

Yes — this is the moment!

A warm breath falls on my waiting lips instead.

“Snap,” he whispers.

My eyes snap open. His mouth taunts me. It’s almost touching mine — almost. Dazed, Navarro moves his head away from mine and shakes his head. It’s as though he’s waking himself out of a self-imposed trance…

B@stard. B@stard. B@stard.

Excuse me while I regain my fvcking composure…

B@stard. B@stard. B@stard—

“You cheated,” I look down at the table and realise part of his hand is covering the pile of cards. He’s won the game. Two bloody Kings. His fingers are absentmindedly caressing the back of my hand. “And you’re still cheating now! That’s not fair!” 

He pats my hand with a relaxed grin. “Seems like you’ll continue helping Claude in the foreseeable future.”

I splutter.

“I’m back. Who won, Armand?” Claude opens his office door with a cheery smile. A small brown parcel is tucked behind his arm and he’s sipping from a coffee mug.

“Congratulations, Claude,” Navarro winks at him.

The groundsman beams. It’s touching that The Cheat made a sly old man’s day…

“He cheated!” I protest.

“Rules are rules,” the coach gathers up the cards and tidies them back into a neat deck, “Winner takes all.” 

I can’t take it anymore. Before I can stop myself, I grab the cards out of his hand and toss it at the wall. They make a dull thudding sound and scatter to the ground in a miserable, messy heap. “Snap is for babies.”

Claude slips out of his jacket and hangs it behind the door. Navarro’s already caught up in his thoughts. He doesn’t have much of a reaction to my meltdown — I don’t think he particularly cares…

“You wanted to play snap. You know, I was going to let you ride on my tractor but now I’m definitely not allowing you to help me on the pitch,” Claude takes one of my fruit and nut bars and tears open the wrapping. He dunks the chocolate in his mug.

“That’s a lady’s prerogative,” Navarro smiles mockingly at me. 

“I’m not a lady! Claude—” 

The men share a look of camaraderie. The groundsman almost chokes on the chocolate. A deep rumble of laughter comes out of him. His grey whiskers bounce heartily. 

“That reminds me. A moment of your time, Claude. We need to talk about the pitch.” Navarro stands up from the table.

Before Claude follows him to the doorway, he nods at the mess on the ground.

“You know the drill, Amelie. Pick up the cards. There’s a good girl.”

I glare at them both with venom.

Why couldn’t Navarro make my day instead?

A/N: Please VOTE, COMMENT and SHARE! Thank you! Apologies for the slight delay - wild weekend ;) Why do you think Coach didn’t kiss Amelie?? :D Dmitri.