Free Romance: Bad Boy Romance: Rough Play - A British Football Romance (Alpha Male Romance) (New Adult Sports Romance) by Tia Siren Page A

cafe, frequented by truckers and prostitutes. ''I like it here,'' he said. ''So many different characters, so much inspiration.''
    Cara would never in her wildest dreams have gone into a place like that. But with Shifty it seemed right. She wasn't afraid when he was with her. ''How many songs have you written?'' she asked wrapping her hands around a generously sized mug of coffee.
    ''Dunno. A few hundred.''
    ''A few hundred,'' she exclaimed. ''Have you made an album yet?''
    He looked disappointed. ''Do you know how much it costs? It's way out of my league.''
    Cara wanted to ask her parents for the money. Anything to help him. He was so darn gorgeous; his talent had to be seen . It had to be. ''Shifty,'' she said.
    He looked at her. ''What?''
    ''You know you called me hot the other day in the canteen.''
    He laughed. ''Sorry. That was impolite.''
    ''No, no, I liked it. I liked it a lot. I like you. A lot.'' That was it; she'd told him. Her face was flushed and between her legs, she could feel damp desire. When he didn't reply, she was afraid she'd made a fool of herself.  If this was love she already hated it.
    ''Well you are hot, and I like you too,'' he said after a long pause. ''So you think I'm a rock star, huh?'' he asked a smirk on his face.
    ''Oh yes. You certainly are.''
    ''Okay then, how about a kiss.''
    ''Here?'' she exclaimed. She didn't know if it was good or bad. A date would have been better. It would have confirmed a long-term intention. A kiss could be anything. It could mean a peck on the cheek, or be the prelude to sex. Oh God, what if he wanted sex? She wasn't ready. She was a virgin, and she didn't have a clue what to do. She was bound to make a fool of herself. What if he found her fumbling efforts inadequate?  What if he wanted her to perform fellatio? Oh, Jesus. Then there was birth control. A kiss? Why not a simple date?
    ''Come with me,' he said. She stood up and followed him into the back. There were restrooms and a door without a sign on it. Cara had her first meaningful kiss in a storage cupboard. But she didn't care when his lips touched hers. He tasted fresh and salty, and his masculine scent drove her to thrust her tongue into his mouth. From that moment, she knew she loved him. She thought of what her gran had always told her when Cara had asked about love.
    ''You just feel when it's right. You instinctively know.''
    Cara did too. If her father had known, he would have asked a lot of difficult questions. She imagined him asking about Shifty's background and his career plans. She knew exactly what he would say when Cara told him Shifty wanted to be a rock star. But life was for living, and Shifty excited her, and she wanted him.
    When they said goodbye in front of the halls of residence, Cara's world fell apart. He didn't say anything about next time. Was that normal after such a breathtaking kiss? Surely he wanted to see her again, but he hadn't asked. All he'd said was, see you. See you? What did that mean? See you tomorrow or see you sometime? Or see you never?
    Cara tried to study, but it was hopeless. Was the way she felt now going to rest solely on what Shifty did or didn't say? She told herself to snap out of it, but she couldn't. That night she couldn't sleep and the next day she dreamed her way through the lectures.
    ''Hi, it's me. Shifty.'' He said it as if Cara had a thousand other men who it might have been.
    ''Hi. How are you?'' It's been a week. A week since you took me to a broom cupboard and kissed me.
    ''Sorry I haven't been in touch. My mom's had a car accident.''
    ''Is she okay?'' Cara was dismayed with herself. All the time thinking only of her own feelings, not stopping for a minute to think there may be another reason for his silence. The world doesn't revolve around you; she told herself.
    ''She's been at UCLA for a few days, but she's home now.''
     
    *****
    Santa Monica Beach was almost deserted, probably because it was Monday morning.
    ''I don't get on with my parents.