Alex's POV:
I shoved Christian onto the sandy court, and watched his bright demeanor immediately switch to a much darker one.
He was now staring down Jake, while the guys got ready to serve the ball. I watched him take a more aggressive stance in the sand and hunch forward, right as one of the guys behind him served the ball over the net.
The second the ball reached the other side, Jake immediately called for it. Making sure he set the ball to someone, only to then call for it back. Trying to spike the ball over the net, when some girl from Christian's team jumped up and blocked it. Sending the ball back on over.
When I looked over at the other teams, I noticed Emma now inserted herself into a group of girls... Looking as if she's making new friends with some of the models Josh brought. If only she knew that they loose every game, and have lost every game, every time we have invited them for the tournament.
As I heard the boys yell back and fourth, I turned my gaze back towards the active game. Trying to ignore just how loud the music from Josh's speaker was playing, while I solely watched Christian.
Noticing how fast he moved, and how well the team easily embraced his competitiveness. I knew the second Claire came back, they would not want to give him up easily. He was a force to be reckon with. A strong mass that was able to communicate and carry the team. If anything he was starting to become their—
"Nice party, X." I heard someone say to the right of me.
"Thanks." I responded back, not knowing exactly who it was. But I didn't let it break my gaze from Christian. I kept my eyes glued on the ball and where it landed. Keeping track of the score in my mind, while watching how Christian's muscles flexed as he hit the ball.
"You gonna play this year, or are you still banned from being on a team?" I heard him laugh. Causing my gaze to immediately turn towards the source.
Justin.
"Luke says on good behavior, I can be a sub." I responded swiftly, only to look back on the game. Watching Christian set the ball perfectly to another teammate.
"So which one is it?" I heard him say.
"What do you mean?" I asked, watching as Christian dive straight for the ball. Popping it up just enough for his team to play off of it. Making me let a small side smile press on my face, for split second.
"Is it baby blue eyes, or the James Bond looking character?"
I turned my body and looked at him, skeptically. "What makes you think I'm interested in either of them?" I asked, confidently.
I watched as the side of Justin's mouth started to curve up, as he stifled a laugh. Lifting up his beer to take a sip, and cover his amusement. Making me shake my head in disbelief.
"I know that look Justin. And I'm just super interested in the game... That's all." I shrugged, turning back to look at the two teams fighting tooth and nail, just to score another point.
"So the fact that every time you look away form the game, one of the two of them, ends up looking over to see if you're still watching... doesn't mean anything?" He asked, sarcastically. Taking another sip of his beer.
I shook my head. "They are so no way that they ar—"
I caught a glimpse of Jake looking over at me, and then Christian. When I quickly looked back at Justin.
"They're just playing the game Justin, nothing is going on." I stated, matter-of-fact like.
"What's not going on?" We heard, from behind us.
When me and Justin both turned, I felt a strong arm pull me in. And when I looked up I saw that the orange-red hair poking into my line of vision, as I felt an arm pull me in tighter.
"The two guys playing volleyball keep looking over at her, when she's not looking." Justin spoke for me.
"Oh... you mean Jake and Chris?" Luke laughed, pulling me in closer as I looked back onto the game.
"Nothing is going on guys." I spoke through gritted teeth, as I tried to get out of Lukes tight hold. Finally breaking free, and pushing Luke back a few steps.
I heard both Luke and Justin laugh, as I tired to stand up straighter. I rolled my shoulders back and crossed my arms as I continued to watch the game, while the two of them started talking. Talking about something boring enough to not distract me. So I continued to watch the game. Both of the boys starting to break a sweat.
When the ball fell over onto Jake's side, Christian's team started cheering and slapping each other's hands. Everyone on both teams both sweating a shit ton, and nearly out of breath...
When I then caught eyes with Christian again, his large smile making one spread across my face. As his bright canines finally poked through his wide toothed grinned. As I watched his interactions with the team, I couldn't help but let a chuckle escape my lips, as I continued to looked at him.
The warmth in my chest started to flood, when we locked eyes suddenly. His brown eyes resembling warm, golden honey, as they flickered with some type of light. Creating a feeling in my stomach that made my knees week...
But before I could analyze Christian more, I was being pulled onto the court by Luke.
"What the hell are you doing?" I asked luke, as he pulled me by the arm.
"We're up to play, and Josh is busy, so we need a sub." He said, finally letting go of my arm, and turning me to look at him. "Plus." He whispered, "You get to verse you uptight neighbor... or should I say friendly teacher." He continued, wiggling his eyebrows, as he smirked at me.
I rolled my eyes and turned to face the net, having my heart skip a beat. When I saw the same honey brown eyes stare me down, through the lace of the net. I saw a side smile press up onto his face as his gaze darkened. Making me for once feel as if I was the prey and he was the predator...
This man has completely changed from the first time I met him.
I quickly pushed the uneasiness out of my chest, and stared at Christian through the net. Trying hard not to let my nervousness show.
What the fuck is wrong with me? I'm never nervous. I embrace my fear with open arms, but in this moment. I feel as if Christian has complete control over me. Making me feel things that I haven't felt before now...
"Heads!" A guy shouted from Christian's side, just when the ball came flying over the net.
I turned my gaze away from Christian, and watched as Luke hit the ball over the net. Only to then have it come back with force; Knocking the nerves out of my system...
I quickly called for the ball, as I ran underneath it. Setting the ball to one of the girls on our team, when she spiked it over the net. Watching as the ball immediately came back over. As if it was second nature for me, I quickly ran and dove the for the ball. Hitting it up just high enough for Luke to set it over the net.
I quickly got up, ran back to my position, and watched as Christian set the ball perfectly to someone on his team. Making my attention drift other places than the game...
After a few passes back and fourth, Luke finally ran up and spiked the ball in the right back corner of the other teams court. Making all of us erupt in excitement, and laughter.
I turned and looked back to look at the other team, when I noticed them huddled up and talking. When they finally broke, Christian walked back to his position on the other side of the net facing me. When he looked at me with a playful look in his eyes.
"It's getting kind of hot on this court." He said, just loud enough for me to hear.
"Is it?" I asked, rhetorically, as I tried to bite my smile from showing.
"Yeah." He stated quite plainly as he rolled his shoulders back. "Don't you think?" He asked, rhetorically.
But before I could answer back, he grabbed the corner of his shirt, and slid it off in one pull. Showing his perfectly toned torso and the few tattoos that decorated his body...
I couldn't help but let all the breath escape from lungs, as I watched him throw his shirt to the side of the court. I couldn't help but keep looking at his body. Completely objectifying him in my mind. Wondering what it would be like to finally touch the places where his muscles met. And how his v-line felt, flushed against my skin...
I tried to push all the lustful thoughts out of my mind as I felt a cool sweat break out along my body. When he then ran his hands through his hair. Shoving a few of his curls away form his face as he hunched over again.
"What's wrong? Is your head in the game Alex?" I heard him ask, making my gaze bounce back up to his eyes.
I swallowed a hard lump in my throat, as I forced myself to calm my breathing. Trying to at least fake my cool and confident composure...
I rolled my eyes, and hunched down to mirror his stance. Hearing the ball, as it hit over to his side of the court. Making him turn away from me and face his team. Lifting his strong arms up to set the ball, as his muscles on his torso flexed, when he finally passed the ball.
I felt my body heat up and my breathing become erratic, as I watched Christian's body closely. Every time he turned, every time he passed the ball, and every time he turned back to look at me.
I felt somewhat frozen in place, even when the ball was spiked in my general direction. I was so distracted by Christian that I wasn't fast enough to dive for it. Resulting in me diving for it too late, leaving me in a pile of sand.
"Come on X, where's your head at?" I heard Luke yell at me.
I shook my head and ran my fingers through my hair, once I finally stood up. I looked over at Christian who was now laughing with all the guys on his team, when I felt irritated at how much control he had over me.
When I finally got back to my position, I looked at Christian. And let a large smile press onto my face, when I decided just what I was going to do...
"You know what Christian?" I asked, rhetorically in a quiet tone, as I stood up straight. "It is pretty hot." I said. Watching his smirk fade into an open mouth look, I grasped the bottom of my shirt. Pulling it off in a swift manner, and tossing it to the side. Just like he did.
I was insecure of my body, because of all the practically naked women around me that look stunning and thin. But I know that Christian wasn't interested in all the women who looked perfect in their tiny bikinis. He was interested in the girl who lives next door. The girl he thinks he can't have. The girl who just so happens to be versing him in a game of volleyball. The girl he happens to be less than 10 feet in front of. The girl that gets him hot and flustered... and based on where his eyes are right now, this was the best move I could make in this game...
"Heads." Someone shouted, sending the ball over the net.
Christian was completely out of the game the second I took my shirt off. Making me laugh when I set the ball back to Luke. Resulting in him spiking the ball directly between Christian and another guy. Scoring us a point.
Our whole team cheered and embraced in a large hug, when I walked back to my spot and hunched over. Looking at Christian directly in the eyes.
"What's wrong? Is your head in the game?" I asked, letting a smirk press into the side of my face, as his gaze darkened.
"Game on." He whispered, back. Hunching back over to mirror my stance. Glaring at me with enough intensity to make my internal temperature rise a few degrees.
"Heads!" Someone shouted. Sending the ball back over the net...
______________
Christian's POV:
After what felt like an eternity...
Alex and Luke's team won, when she assisted in the final point...
"Take that motherfucker!" Alex shouted at me with a smile, when they finally one. "I guess the teacher just got schooled." She laughed, looking at me with a playful look in her eyes. Still letting them linger on every part of my body.
But before I could say something back, Luke picked her up and cheered. Carring her over to the fire pit as she held on, still laughing. Leaving her shirt behind on the side line, right next to mine.
"Good game man." Someone said to me, patting me on the back, as I still looked at Alex. Watching her look over at me with a large smile.
I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of her. She was something that made me feel fulfilled from just moments together. She was a strong current, pulling me in closer every time with her angelic waves.
I tried hard to hide my smile, as I picked up her shirt. Putting mine back on, while letting a small chuckle escape my lips, as I started walking back towards the fire pit. Feeling her soft fabric of her shirt, while refraining from smelling her perfume on the clothing.
"Hey man." I heard to the side of me. "I can give Alex her shirt back." He said, causing me to turn towards the voice.
I instantly fought hard not to grimace, as I looked at the man. It was the guy who wore pink to match her. Instantly i felt somewhat on fire, fighting the urge to say exactly what was on my mind in that moment. However, i took in a deep breath a calmed myself before I spoke.
"It's alright." I stated, trying to sound polite, as I forced a smile on my face. "I'm headed back towards her and Luke anyways." I smiled.
"I think we haven't met properly." He said, forcing a smile onto his face. "Im Jake." He said, out reaching his hand. I looked down at it, trying hard not to frown, and shook it with my free hand.
"Chris." I said, with an equally just as fake smile.
"Well Chris. Can I take Alex back her shirt? I'll take any excuse to talk to her." He chuckled, while looking down at the white fabric in my hand.
Well at least the douche is honest. But before I could find any reason to refuse to give it to him. Emma ran up to me.
"Chris aren't you going to watch? My team is going on next." She said, grabbing my arm and pulling me down to get my attention.
I looked up and over at Alex and saw that she was now standing with her arms crossed. Looking up at me and then quickly to the fire, with an emotionless look on her face. Luke then wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close in a side hug, still cheering from their win as she tried hard to not look back at me.
I looked down at Emma "Yeah, I'll watch." I said, when she then ran off onto the court. I then looked back at Jake, and spoke. "Tell her to put it on now, she looks a bit cold."
He smiled and then took the shirt. Not saying anything back as he ran off towards the fire... towards her...